[californiadisasters] Kern Co. Proclamation of Local Emergency (09/10/11)

Proclamation of Local Emergency

KERN COUNTY –Due to the extent of fire activity caused by lightning strikes that have occurred since 1:30 a.m. on September 10, 2011, a Proclamation of Local Emergency has been ordered for the County of Kern.

 

More than 50 wild land fires are burning and have consumed an estimated 15,000 wild land acres.  Three major fires, which are estimated at 0% containment, pose a continuing threat to residential structures.  These major fires have been dubbed the Black Fire, Indian Fire and the Comanche Fire.

 

Precautionary evacuation messages have been disseminated via ReadyKern for the Keene, Hart Flat, Bear Valley, Golden Hills and Stallion Springs communities.  Widespread evacuations and sheltering operations may become necessary in the future depending on fire activity. 

 

The Kern County Fire Department estimates that hundreds of homes in these areas are at risk and is administering the process to request assistance under a Fire Management Assistance Grant.  Two CAL Fire Type 1 Incident Management Teams are assisting local efforts to fight these fires.  The number and distribution of fire activity has created an enormous resource challenge.  Additional firefighting resources throughout California have been requested and are en-route for deployment within Kern County.  The Kern EOC is currently activated at level 1 status.  The potential for additional dry lightning strikes through the weekend may cause additional fire activity.  For many of these fires, steep terrain, heavy brush, large amounts of fuel, low humidity and erratic wind conditions pose extremely difficult challenges for firefighters.  Firefighters will continue to be diligent in fighting these fires.

Source: http://www.kerncountyfire.org/incidents.php?id=536

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