The blaze dubbed the Grand Fire had burned more than 3,000 acres by 10 p.m. It was about 10 percent contained. It was burning in both state and federal land.
The fire was burning in a heavily forested area, according to Cal-Fire. It was reported about noon.
The fire prompted the evacuation of Frazier Mountain High School. Students were safely bussed from the school at 1:30 p.m. The school was scheduled to be closed Thursday.
Hungry Valley State Park was under a mandatory evacuation order.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Eight helicopters and several fixed-wing aircraft were part of the firefighting effort, along with 800 firefighters.
Kern County officials say personnel from Kern, Los Angeles and Ventura counties were on hand with Cal-Fire, as well as Los Padres Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, California State Parks and California Highway Patrol personnel.