Tehachapi brush fire 40% contained as flames burn 13,400 acres

A brush fire that has been raging across Tehachapi was 40% contained Tuesday afternoon after scorching more than 13,400 acres and destroying 30 structures, officials said.

The Canyon fire started near Blackburn Canyon Road at Snowshoe Lane when a small plane crashed near Tehachapi on Sunday morning. The blaze spread rapidly as flames consumed dry chaparral, grass and timber in rugged terrain, fire officials said. Two men in the plane died in the crash.

On Tuesday, more than 1,200 firefighters, along with 10 water-dropping helicopters and seven air tankers, were battling the blaze, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The flames have been stoked by a large number of dead gray pines in the area.

Flames were moving southeast toward the desert, fire officials said. Erratic winds have helped fan the blaze, which was threatening the communities of Old West Ranch, Oak Creek and Rosamond, officials said.

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Photo: A Kern County Fire Department helicopter flies over the brush fire in Tehachapi on Monday. Credit: Jaclyn Borowski / Bakersfield Californian