Cause Human Caused | Buildingsdestroyed 14 | |
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Date(s) July 26, 2010 - August 10, 2010 Burned area 16,442 acres (66.54 km) | ||
The Bull Fire was a wildfire that scorched 16,442 acres (6,654 ha) of land in Kern County, California. The fire, which started on July 26, was the largest wildfire of the 2010 California wildfire season as well as one of the most destructive with 16 structures being destroyed. As the fire progressed it burned in mainly grass and brush on both sides of the Kern River. By July 29 the fire had burned nearly 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) and was 12% contained.
As the fire approached the cities of Riverkern and Kernville it forced the evacuations of hundreds of residents as well as Camp Erwin Owen, a juvenile detention camp.
It became evident early on that the fire had been caused by humans and investigators sealed off the origin of the fire as a crime scene.