6 homes destroyed by blaze in Sequoia National Forest; crews in Lassen make headway on fires

6 homes destroyed in Sequoia National Forest blaze

KERNVILLE, Calif. — A fire in Sequoia National Forest has destroyed six homes, charred eight square miles and forced the evacuation of 122 juvenile offenders attending a forestry camp near the California town of Kernville.

Fire officials said Tuesday the cause of the blaze was under investigation. No injuries have been reported.

The evacuated minors were being housed in Bakersfield at two juvenile facilities until it was safe to return to camp.

The fire started Monday.

Meanwhile, crews in Lassen County in the northern part of the state were making progress battling a series of lightning-sparked fires east of Straylor Lake.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said 250 acres of timber have burned.

The fires were 30 percent contained.