A wind-propelled wildfire that erupted near Bishop, Owens Valley, prompted evacuations and grew to 1.800 acres by Wednesday afternoon, authorities said, quickly becoming the largest ever California fire this year.

5: 40 p.m. UPDATE: The city of Big Pine just east of US 395 is in the evacuation center, CalFire reported.

At around 5: 30 p.m., authorities ordered evacuations for areas in Big Pine east of Interstate 395, according to Cal Fire.

The airport fire erupted near Airport Road and East Line Street east of Bishop about 4.06pm on Wednesday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The UC White Mountain Research Center and The Owens Valley Radio Observatory have been asked to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure.

An Inyo County fire spread to 1.500 hectares late Wednesday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of the east side of Big Pine, fire officials said.

What triggered the fire is still being investigated.


Owens Valley

Owens Valley is an arid valley of the Owens River in eastern California in the United States. It is located to the east of the Sierra Nevada, west of the White Mountains and Inyo Mountains, (wikipedia)

READ MORE:  Neptune's 'Unexpected' temperature changes leave researchers in shock


Owens Valley Radio Observatory

Owens Valley Radio Observatory is a radio astronomy observatory located near Big Pine, California in Owens Valley. It lies east of the Sierra Nevada, (wikipedia)