High Desert News

If you are headed north

This is walker pass

Rain is falling across many areas of the High Desert. Drive safely!

Even in California S.U. I. (Sleighing under the influence) is a crime. Stay safe this Holiday weekend and use a D.S.D. (Dedicated Sleigh Driver). In all seriousness, Merry Christmas Ridgecrest, stay safe and be kind. - RPD

UPDATE - ALL ROADS ARE NOW OPEN Both directions of SR-14 are CLOSED at SR-178 west. SR-178 westbound from SR-14 is CLOSED. Please use alternates such as Garl...ock Road or SR-58 to US-395. Closures are for an unknown duration. http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov CHP - Bakersfield CHP Antelope Valley CHP - Bishop Caltrans HQ Caltrans District 9 KGET - TV 17 Bakersfield 23ABC Bakersfield City of Tehachapi, CA Government Tehachapi News KUZZ News

We're in a desert area of east Kern where a navy fighter jet crashed this morning. The F-18 from Naval Air Station Lemoore experienced a mishap during a routine training flight. The pilot is reported to have made a safe ejection. More tonight at 5.

Man who died in Ridgecrest Sunday evening while riding OHV identified.

En route to a navy fighter jet crash near Highway 178 and Highway 14. I’ll bring you a live look at noon. https://www.kget.com//plane-crash-reported-in-area-of-hig/

While its not on the forest, the Roosevelt Tree, the giant sequoia planted at the corner of Highway 395 and Highway 168 East (Westgard Pass) was iconically East...ern Sierra. Yesterday, the ailing tree was cut down. It was a hard day for many of us to see the passing of this witness tree. Here's a good article about it: https://www.sierrawave.net/the-big-pine-roosevelt-giant-se/ and a photo from earlier days. See more

Around 4:30 this morning a big rig transporting hay crashed into the Mt Whitney Motel in Lone Pine, CA. North end of motel was fully engulfed in flames. Deputy... Atkins (Inyo Sheriff) and two brave citizens pulled the driver out of the building that was engulfed in flames; the driver was transported to the hospital for treatment. Everyone was evacuated- unknown if there are injuries as of now. CHP is currently diverting traffic. CHP - Bishop is the lead agency for additional information. Thank you to all agencies for responding quickly. See more

Big 5.8 earthquake near Lone Pine this morning and a rock slide closed Whitney Portal area. No injuries reported so far. Follow @inyosheriff for updates and details. @ Mount Whitney.

Four years ago today Kern County experienced one of the worst fires within the county. More than 300 structures were destroyed and two lives were lost in the Erskine fire. . https://www.facebook.com/HighDesertNews/videos/1205596012813389/

Security video footage with audio of yesterday's earthquake from the garage of Ivan Amerson. The magnitude 5.5 quake was felt as far as Bakersfield and San Bernardino. Remember to stay stocked up on water, keep fuel in vehicles, test generators if you have them. Stay safe everyone.