Schaeffer Fire burns nearly 15K acres

As of Monday afternoon the Schaeffer Fire had burned 14,934 acres, according to the Kern River Ranger District. The fire, which was sparked by lightning on June 24, continues to move east at approximately one mile per day. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued a health caution for Tulare and Kern counties due to smoke from the wildfires in the state.

Containment was at 11 percent with full containment estimated for July 31. The fire is burning with the 2002 Mcnally Fire burn area, 17 miles north of Kernville.

Road. Forest closure for the area of the fire remains in place, including all roads and trails, and will be in effect until the fire is declared out.

Smoke from the Whittier (Santa Barbara County), Alamo (San Luis Obispo County), and Garza (Fresno County) fires is causing air quality to deteriorate in Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and the valley portion of Kern Counties. Smoke from the Schaeffer Fire located in Tulare County is affecting air quality in the foothill and mountain areas of Tulare and Kern County, especially the communities of Kennedy Meadows and Johnsondale. The health caution will remain in place and smoke impacts will continue until the fires are extinguished.

For more information, call KRRD at 760-3763781 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov.