The fire threatened the communities of Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra and Wofford Heights.

[4][5] The following day of Thursday, August 19, the fire continued to spread aggressively as the shifting winds pushed the fireline westward as the eastern portion of flames had moved into the 2,545 acres Shirley Fire burn scar of June 2014, slowing its eastern progression.

On Friday, August 20, significant fire growth has caused the destruction of several properties in the Alta Sierra community.

[6] By Saturday, August 21, the fire had grown to 11,295 acres as resources became increasingly strained due to many being committed to other major conflagrations in the state during the season.

[4] The Red Cross set up an evacuation center at Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6403 Lake Isabella Road but was later moved to Woodrow Wallace Elementary School at 3240 Erskine Creek Road in Lake Isabella.