BAKERSFIELD, CA - County fire officials say the end fire is coming soon. Since there have been recent rains and cooler temperatures, the county will officially transition out of fire season effective at 8:00 a.m. Friday December 19.
Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall in a news release acknowledged that, “The extreme drought across California taxed firefighters throughout the summer. CAL Fire and firefighters from many local agencies battled over 5,500 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 91,000 acres.” Chief Marshall also added that number is over 1,000 more wildfires than normal.
As drought conditions continue to have a hold on California, the Kern County Fire Department is maintaining staffing that meets the current threat. KCFD will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and still has the ability to increase staffing should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires in other areas of the state.
During the 2014 Fire Season, the Kern County Fire Department responded to 471 local vegetation fires and wildfires. The largest of these fires was the Way Fire, which consumed just over 4,000 acres near the community of Wofford Heights. KCFD also supported 62 out of county incidents, the largest being the Happy Camp Fire, which consumed over 135,000 acres. In all, KCFD filled 860 resource orders, including orders for Engine Strike Teams, Dozers, Water Tenders, Aircraft, Crews, and Overhead Single Resource and Incident Management Team Positions.
Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped landscape debris burning. Before you burn, ensure that it is a permissive burn day by contacting the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District or the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District and make sure you have the required burn permits. When burning, make sure that piles of landscape debris are no larger than four feet in diameter. Provide a 10 foot clearance around the burn pile and have a responsible adult in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel.
For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www.KernCountyFire.org
Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall in a news release acknowledged that, “The extreme drought across California taxed firefighters throughout the summer. CAL Fire and firefighters from many local agencies battled over 5,500 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 91,000 acres.” Chief Marshall also added that number is over 1,000 more wildfires than normal.
As drought conditions continue to have a hold on California, the Kern County Fire Department is maintaining staffing that meets the current threat. KCFD will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and still has the ability to increase staffing should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires in other areas of the state.
During the 2014 Fire Season, the Kern County Fire Department responded to 471 local vegetation fires and wildfires. The largest of these fires was the Way Fire, which consumed just over 4,000 acres near the community of Wofford Heights. KCFD also supported 62 out of county incidents, the largest being the Happy Camp Fire, which consumed over 135,000 acres. In all, KCFD filled 860 resource orders, including orders for Engine Strike Teams, Dozers, Water Tenders, Aircraft, Crews, and Overhead Single Resource and Incident Management Team Positions.
Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped landscape debris burning. Before you burn, ensure that it is a permissive burn day by contacting the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District or the Eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District and make sure you have the required burn permits. When burning, make sure that piles of landscape debris are no larger than four feet in diameter. Provide a 10 foot clearance around the burn pile and have a responsible adult in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel.
For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit www.KernCountyFire.org