1,000-acre fire rages in rugged wilderness near the Tulare-Kern County line

More than 300 firefighters are battling a wildfire that has scorched about 1,000 acres of rugged forest near the Tulare-Kern County line, fire officials said Thursday.

The fire broke out Wednesday about 3:30 p.m. in a remote area near the Chimney Peak campground, about 80 miles northeast of Bakersfield, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

When firefighters first reached the blaze in the Chimney Peak Wilderness, it had burned about 30 acres and was quickly spreading, with westerly winds averaging 7 to 9 mph.

Officials said the 1,000-acre fire could continue to grow.

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Firefighters have responded with a barrage of aerial crews — including seven helicopters and nine air tankers — and 18 fire engines, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Aerial images of the fire showed a plume of gray smoke billowing from mountainous terrain.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was about 10% contained and had not damaged any structures.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Residents and campgrounds near Chimney Peak were evacuated and the Pacific Crest Trail was closed between Highway 178 and Kennedy Meadows. Canebreak Road was closed but Nine Mile Road was open for local residents and public safety officials.

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For more California news, follow me @MattHjourno. E-mail me at matt.hamilton@latimes.com.

UPDATES:

11:00 p.m.: This story was updated to include that the cause of the fire was under investigation.

This story was originally published at 9:24 p.m.