The Highway Fire that broke out Sunday in Bodfish has grown to a thousand acres.

Evacuations have been issued for north and south Black Gulch as a precaution, with one vacant house now being threatened by the flames. More than 400 firefighters have been deployed to the scene, with air support from tankers and water-dropping helicopters. The fire is 20% contained.

Traffic through Lake Isabella on Hwy 178 is being diverted to Kern Canyon Road.

Suzanne Grant