California Wildfire Threatens 500 Homes

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — More than 1,000 firefighters have been involved in the effort to control a central California wildfire that threatens more than 500 homes.

The blaze, which started Friday, has burned through 3.1 square miles of trees and brush in and around the Sequoia National Forest, coming within a mile of a Lake Isabella, a community about 30 miles northeast of Bakersfield.

Forecasters warn that conditions will become hotter and drier, a bad combination for controlling wildfires. The Shirley Fire, as it is known, is only 10 percent contained.

The Forest Service says that camping, horseback riding, rafting and other activities in the Sequoia district are so far unaffected by the blaze.