By Cecil Egbele | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow
A fast-moving wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon in East Bakersfield, quickly growing into one of the most significant fire events the area has seen in recent years. Dubbed the Tower Fire, the blaze ignited near Edison Highway and Comanche Drive and spread rapidly under wind-driven conditions, prompting the emergency evacuation of thousands of residents. By Monday morning, firefighters had made substantial progress. The fire reached 50% containment by 6:21 a.m. on May 4, and the evacuation warning for the affected zone was fully lifted by 10:07 a.m. Residents in the area can now return home.
Timeline of Events
Sunday, 3:22 p.m. — The fire is first reported near Edison Highway and Comanche Drive in East Bakersfield. Smoke is visible on cameras, and crews are dispatched. The fire is estimated at around 10 acres, already moving quickly to the east with homes in its path.
Sunday, 3:54 p.m. — CAL FIRE officially logs the incident at 50 acres with zero containment. Fire crews begin working to slow the spread from the ground. At 4:10 p.m., it is predicted to reach residential areas within 15 to 20 minutes.
Sunday, 5:04 p.m. —CAL FIRE reports an Evacuation Order is issued for Zone KRN-443, covering the area north of Edison Highway, south of Pioneer Drive, east of Comanche Drive, and west of Bena Road. Residents are told to leave immediately.
Sunday, 6:50 p.m. — The fire reaches 2,500 acres, a dramatic jump in size in under two hours with zero containment.
Despite the scale, air tankers begin to gain some ground, and by evening, all aerial resources are released from the incident, a sign that the fire’s most dangerous run has slowed.
Overnight Sunday into Monday — Overnight crews made significant progress. Watch Duty staff reporter Don Zirbel reports that the fire is now 50% contained and the Evacuation Order is now downgraded to an Evacuation Warning, meaning the immediate threat to life has passed, but residents should still be prepared to leave quickly if conditions change.
Monday, May 4, 10:07 a.m. — CAL FIRE update says that the Evacuation Warning for Zone KRN-443 has been fully lifted, and residents may return home.
How to Prepare for a Wildfire Emergency
Living in Kern County means wildfire preparedness should be a year-round priority. Here are key steps every resident should take:
Build a Go-Bag. Keep an emergency kit ready with at least 72 hours of supplies: water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, medications, important documents, phone chargers, cash, and a change of clothes. Keep it somewhere you can grab it in under a minute.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts with ReadyKern Kern County’s main emergency notification system. You will receive calls, texts, and emails if there is a threat in your area, and the Genasys Protect, which shows a live map of which zones are under warning or order at any given time.
Know Your Zone. Find your Genasys evacuation zone before an emergency happens, identify at least two different exit routes from your neighborhood, and agree on a family meeting point outside the hazard area.
Prepare Your Home. Clear dry brush and dead vegetation within 100 feet of your home. Keep a garden hose long enough to reach around the perimeter of your property, and know where your gas shutoff is.
Act Early — Don’t Wait. When a wildfire moves as fast as the Tower Fire did — from 10 acres to over 2,000 in less than two hours — there is no time to hesitate. If an evacuation order is issued, leave immediately. If a warning is issued, start packing. Early action is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Key Emergency Links & Resources
- ReadyKern (emergency notification sign-up): com
- Genasys Protect (find your zone & live evacuation map): genasys.com
- CAL FIRE incident updates: ca.gov
- Watch Duty (real-time wildfire updates): org
- Kern County Sheriff’s Office: com
- BakersfieldNow (local news): com
- Aging and Adult Services (evacuation assistance): 1-855-264-6565
