A brush fire exploded to more than 1,500 acres in Kern County and led officials to issue recommended and precautionary evacuations Monday.
The blaze, dubbed Stagecoach Fire, was reported off Stagecoach Drive and Piute Meadow Road, south of Lake Isabella and Havilah.
Kern County Fire first reported the blaze about 3:40 p.m. when it was at just 15 aces, but it consumed more than 300 acres by 7:30 p.m., and then more than doubled to 800 acres an hour later.
By 9:40 p.m., it had quickly grown to 1,500 acres and was still 0% contained.
Fire officials recommended that residents evacuate from the area west of of Caliente Bodfish Road in Piute Meadows and the area north of Walker Basin Road and east of Caliente Bodfish Road.
Officials also issued precautionary evacuations for the area off Indian Oaks Road, east of Caliente Bodfish Road.
No injuries were reported, and no further details were immediately available.