Lost Hills Wildfire Surpasses 7,500 Acres; Evacuations Ordered as Winds Shift

A wildfire southwest of Lost Hills, in Kern County, has rapidly expanded to 7,500 acres within a single day, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for several zones. The so-called Lost Fire was first reported on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at approximately 3:03 a.m., west of Highway 33 and 7th Standard Road.

As of Friday morning, the fire remains at 5% containment, according to CalFire.

Kern County Fire Department officials said that while initial efforts were making progress, shifting winds caused the fire to change direction and spread quickly. Firefighters faced multiple wind shifts throughout the operation.

Despite the fire's growth, authorities reported no injuries and said there is no direct threat to the community of Lost Hills. Personnel have been stationed at structures in the vicinity to provide protection.

Evacuation orders have been issued for zones KRN-209-B, KRN-219-B, and KRN-243-B. Residents in these areas are urged to leave immediately due to an imminent threat to life.

Evacuation warnings are in effect for zones KRN-245 and KRN-243-A, where residents should prepare to leave at a moment's notice. Maps of the evacuation zones are available through the ProtectGenasys platform.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Firefighters continue to work on containment, with resources from multiple agencies assisting.