April 20, 2013

       When getting ready for the upcoming fire season here are some tips to be sure that your house has the best possible chance of surviving a wildfire.  Its never to early to start and this guide will keep you and your property on task to help its survivability in the event of a wildfire.

January

1. Make your home is properly marked with a visible address
2. Develop a home fire safety plan in the event of a wildfire
3. Make an emergency kit for evacuations
4. Sign up for Ready-Kern. www.readykern.com 
5. Be sure to check out http://www.kerncountyfire.org, in the education tab to learn about defensible space.

February

6. Plan your evacuation route out of the area in the event of an emergency
7. Harden your house by using fire resistant products & Cover all vents with metal screening to prevent embers from getting in the attic.
8. Limb all trees 6’ from the ground.
9. Install spark arrestors around chimneys and vent pipes

March

10. Clear all rain gutters of dead leaves and pine needles.
11. Clear all over hanging limbs from around chimneys
12. Remove all dead and down branches on the property.
13. Remove any excessive slash and brush piles on the property.

April

14. Clear 10ft around all LPG and Propane tanks.
15. Clear all dead leaves and pine needles from roof tops.
16. Plant fire resistant and water wise plants around your home
17. If firewood is within 30ft of a structure be sure it is covered with a non-combustible housing.

 May

18. Make sure your water tank is accessible to emergency responders
19. Be sure to remove dead leaves and pine needles a minimum of 30ft. around structures.
20. cut all grass to 100’ of your structure
21. Keep all vegetation around structures adequately watered.

Grand Fire East Of Frazier Park

May 22, 2013

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at approximately 12:44 p.m., a wild land fire was reported  two miles east of Frazier Park. 

May 15, 2013 3:50 p.m.

Firefighters are currently battling a fast, wind driven wildfire in the Frazier Park area. Strong winds and dry fuels are hampering firefighting efforts, and an evacuation of the Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek Campground are in effect.

Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek area under mandatory evacuation. Frazier Mountain High School was evacuated earlier as a precaution.

Road Closures: Falcon Way to Frazier Mt High School is closed as well as roads entering Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek. Four helicopters and 5 air tankers battling the fire.

May 16, 2013 9 a.m.

Firefighters are continuing to construct fire line around the fire perimeter today, while helicopters will assist firefighters by cooling hot spots around the fires edge. Crews worked throughout the night to make progress on the southern and northern sides of the fire, and were assisted by lower temperatures and higher humidity. Firefighters are concentrating on the southern side of the fire in anticipation of slightly stronger winds throughout the day. Mandatory evacuations continue to be in effect in the Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Canyon areas, and all roads through the Park remain closed.

Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek are under mandatory evacuation. Frazier Mountain High School was evacuated earlier as a precaution. 3500 acres burned 1000 fire personnel, 6 helicopters, 7 air tankers battling the flames.

May16, 2013 6 p.m.

Firefighters continued to construct fire line around the fire perimeter today. Crews worked throughout the day making progress on the southern and northern sides of the fire and were assisted by lower temperatures and higher humidity.

Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park will remain closed until further notice.                                            Road Closures: Roads entering Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek.

Unified Command: CALFIRE and USFS. 1445 fire personnel, 7 helicopters, 3800 acres with 25 percent containment.

May 17, 2013 6 a.m.

Firefighters continued to construct fire line around the fire perimeter today.  Crews worked throughout the day making progress on the southern and northern sides of the fire and were assisted by lower temperatures and higher humidity.  Crews made significant progress overnight with hopes of completing more line today.  Acreage increase is in part due to overnight infrared flight.   1452 fire personnel, 7 helicopters, 4100 acres burned with 35 percent contained.

May 17, 2013 6 p.m.

Firefighters were successful today in completing line construction around the fire. Crews

will continue to improve and hold existing containment lines and continue with fire suppression repair overnight. Demobilization of equipment and crews will begin tomorrow. 1853 fire personnel, 11 helicopters, 14 bulldozers, 4300 acres burned with 55 percent contained.

May 18, 2013 6 a.m.

Firefighters successfully completed line construction around the fire. Crews will continue

to improve and hold existing lines, and continue with suppression repair. Demobilization will continue.

Resources departing the incident will be aware of the Heartbreak Hundred Bicycle Ride taking place in the area from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  1853 pers0nnel, 11 copters, 4358 acres burned with 70 percent contained.

May 18, 2013 6 p.m.

Firefighters successfully completed line construction around the fire. Crews will continue

to improve and hold existing lines, and continue with suppression repair. Demobilization will continue as needed through Tuesday. CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 6 plans on transitioning back to local jurisdiction on 05/21/2013. 1271  personnel,  4 copters,  4358 acres burned with  80 percent containment.

May 19, 2013 6 p.m.

Crews will continue to improve and hold existing lines, and continue with suppression

repair. Demobilization will continue as needed through Tuesday. CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 6 plans on transitioning back to local jurisdiction  on 05/21/2013.

Evacuations:

Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek recreation area will remain closed until further notice.

Road Closures; Hungry Valley State Park and Gold Hill Road are scheduled to be reopened

on 5/22/2013.

Frazier Mtn. Road will remain closed until 5/24/2013.

Unified Command: CALFIRE and USFS

Assisting Fire Agencies:

Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau of Land Management

Cooperating Agencies:

California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office,

Ventura County Sheriffs Office, Cal Trans, California State Parks, California Conservation

Corps.   1046 personnel, 2 copters,  5 bulldozers,4346 acres with 85 percent contained.

May 21, 2013 6 a.m.

Little to no fire behavior has been observed, however there are still isolated hot spots in the area requiring extinguishment and continued monitoring. Smoke could be visible for the next several weeks.  Demobilization will continue as needed through the remainder of the week. 

Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek recreation area will remain closed until further notice.

Road Closures:  Hungry Valley State Park and Gold Hill Road are scheduled to be reopened on 5/22/2013 during daylight hours.  Frazier Mtn. Road will remain closed until 5/24/2013.

Assisting Fire Agencies:  Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County

Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau

of Land Management.

Cooperating Agencies:  California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs

Office, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office,

Cal Trans, California State Parks, California Conservation Corps.

847 personnel, 1 copter, 4346 acres burned with 95 percent contained. Expected containment:  on 5-22-2013.

May 22, 2013 6 a.m.                                                                                                                                    Current Situation: Little to no fire behavior has been observed, however there are still isolated hot spots in the area requiring extinguishment and continued monitoring. Smoke could be visible for the next several weeks.  Demobilization will continue as needed through the remainder of the week.  However several resources will stay on the incident thru Memorial Day weekend.                                         Evacuations: Hungry Valley State Park and Piru Creek recreation area will remain closed until further notice.                                                                                                                                                     Road Closures:  Hungry Valley State Park and Gold Hill Road are scheduled to be reopened today  5/22/2013 during daylight hours.  Frazier Mtn. Road will remain closed until 5/24/2013.           Assisting Fire Agencies:  Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau of Land Management.                                                  Cooperating Agencies:  California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office, Ventura County Sheriffs Office, Cal Trans, California State Parks, California Conservation Corps. Fire 100 percent contained, 1 copter and 166 peronnel on scene.

May 23, 2013 6 a.m.                                                                                                                               Current Situation: Little to no fire behavior has been observed, however there are still isolated hot spots in the area requiring extinguishment and continued monitoring.  Smoke could be visible for the next several weeks.  Demobilization will continue as needed through the remainder of the week. However several resources will stay on the incident thru Memorial Day weekend.  The Fire will be transferred to a type 4 incident commander tonight 05/23/2013 at 1800.                                                                        Trail Closures: The following trails on The Mt. Pinos Ranger District and Hungry Valley State Park will be closed due to fire damage until further notice, Tejon, East Frazier, Arrastra, whata, Long Dave, Gold Hill, Grassland, Sterling and Coyote.                                                                                                      Road Closures:  Hungry Valley State Park and Gold Hill Road reopened yesterday on 5/22/2013.  Frazier Mtn. Road will remain closed until 5/24/2013.                                                                        Assisting Fire Agencies:  Kern County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire, California States Parks, Bureau Of Land Management.                                                 Cooperating Agencies:  California Highway Patrol, Kern County Sheriffs Office, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office, Ventura County Sheriffs Office, Cal Trans, California State Parks, California Conservation Corps.

May 5, 2013

At approximately 9: 21 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2013, the Kern County Fire received a call for the structure fire in the 100 block of Lake View Terrace in Wofford Heights. 

Upon arrival crews saw a next door neighbor with a garden hose trying to put out the fire.  The blaze was in the water heater closet and fire crews made an aggressive attack to extinguish the fire.  The fire was under control in 29 minutes.  The estimated loss was valued at $15,000, but the save of the double wide mobile home was estimated at $150,000.  Due to smoke alarms activating in the home, the owner was able to escape without any harm.  

Helicopter 408 Service Ribbon Dedication

May 8, 2013                                                                                                                                  
      On Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 5:45 p.m., The Armed Services Support Riders will join the Kern County Fire Department for the Helicopter 408 service ribbon and unit patch dedication ceremony held at Keene Helibase, 30356 Woodford-Tehachapi Rd, Keene, CA. The unit patch and service ribbon represents Helicopter 408s involvement during the Viet Nam War as a combat helicopter in the 117th Assault Helicopter Company (the “Warlords”), 214th Combat Aviation Battalion, Republic of Viet Nam. Riders will depart the Bakersfield Harley Davidson at 5:00 p.m., and arrive at Keene Helibase around 5:45 p.m. for the ceremony.

      The Armed Services Support Riders are a group of individuals who provide motorcycle escort for new recruits entering active duty, welcome homes, and other honored events. Military Veterans from the group will be placing both emblems on the aircraft during the ceremony.

      Helicopter 408 entered service with the U.S. Army in August of 1968, and was relieved of duty in July of 1970, after flying more than 1,835 hours. The aircraft was brought back to the United

States, and flew for The Army until 1975, where she was released from the active duty military.

      Located in 1994 by members of the Kern County Fire Department, the helicopter was brought back to Kern County until funding was secured in 1999 to outfit the airship for firefighting purposes.

For more news and information visit www.kerncountyfire.org

Bottom Fire

May 6, 2013

      On Thursday, May 2, 2013 around 2 p.m., Kern County Fire Department received a call for a

vegetation fire around the 40 block of Manor Street in Bakersfield.  Kern County Fire Crews arrived on scene to find a fast moving fire that was threatening structures on the north side of the river, as well as horse stables along in the area. Soon after arrival, the fire spotted from the east side of the river, to the north, as well as an isolated island. KC Sheriff Search and Rescue was requested to help shuttle firefighters onto the island so mop up operations could be initiated. Firefighters immediately requested additional resources to assist in structure protection along the rivers north edge. Fire crews were able to attack the fire aggressively with assistance from Helicopter 408, as well as the Kern County Fire Academy recruits.

      The fire burned both sides of the Kern River, just west of the Manor Street Bridge.

The Bottom Fire has consumed approximately 20 acres, and estimated containment is expected around 6:30 p.m. and full containment is unknown. This fire is currently under investigation, and if any one has any information, please contact our Fire Tip Hot Line at 1 (877) FIRETIP.

Kern County is in a Red Flag warning, and we are advising all residents to be diligent on keeping up with all hazard reduction around their property.

8:51 p.m.

      The Bottom Fire, located along the Kern River Parkway, west of the Manor Street Bridge, has

reached full containment as of 6:18 p.m. The fire has consumed an estimated 20 acres,

reaching both north and south sides of the river, along with a large island in the center.

Evacuations of livestock early in the fire have been lifted, and all residents are able to return

their animal to their stables. No injuries were sustained to the animals during the incident, nor

were any injuries to members of the public or firefighting crews.

All roads are now open to the public, yet firefighting equipment will continue to operate in the

area.

      The Kern County Fire Department, along with Bakersfield City Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management, will remain on scene throughout the night, and in to tomorrow, to ensure all heat sources are eliminated. Low relative humidity in the area continues to hamper full

extinguishment; however, the forward progress has been stopped.

      The fire is currently under investigation, and no cause has yet to be determined. If any one has

any information, please contact our Fire Tip Hot Line at 1 (877) FIRETIP.

Fatal Semi Accident

May 23, 2013

      Kern County Fire Department received a call on Monday, May 20, 2013 about 5:30 p.m.,for a big rig into a channel, south bound Highway 99 at the Norris bridge. First arriving crews found a tractor-trailer over the bridge and partly submerged underwater. The driver was able to exit the tractor but the passenger was trapped inside the cab. Kern County Firefighters searched for the victim but they were unable to locate the passenger due to extensive damage to the truck and murky water.

    A heavy tow truck was dispatched and assisted securing the trailer while crews made a more extensive search under debris. The body of the passenger was located under parts of the cab and contents of the trailer. Haz-mat teams on scene to mitigate exposure of fuel and other fluids to the canal. Kern County Coroner was dispatched.

     The truck was carrying canned food products. The Kern County Fire Department would like to remind drivers slow down and stay cautious for Firefighters and other emergency workers.