About 40 vehicles were destroyed, three homes were burned and five horses died in a fire pushed by gusty winds through a section of Oildale Monday afternoon, according to the Kern County Fire Department.
Firefighters received calls at around 1:30 p.m. for a grass fire on the north side of the river, west of Riverview Park. High winds pushed the fire toward horse stables, parked vehicles and homes on Willow Drive, prompting residents to evacuate their homes.
Willow Drive, between South Oildale Drive and Hickerson Drive, was eventually closed, firefighters said.
The department said fire investigators found no evidence the blaze was intentionally set.