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Piute fire doubles again, has burned 2,500 acres
| Monday, Jun 30 2008 10:41 AM
Last Updated: Monday, Jun 30 2008 11:02 AM
The Piute Fire in the mountains south of Isabella Lake has more than doubled in size since Sunday morning to more than 2,500 acres.
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The Piute fire heats up Sunday afternoon above Walker Basin, burning several thousand acres since Saturday afternoon.
A firefighting helicopter gets ready to make a water drop on the southeast end of the Piute fire in the Piute Mountain Range Sunday afternoon above Walker Basin. So far, it has burned a few thousand acres and is heading north.
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Meanwhile on Monday morning, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern County, which is expected to mobilize additional state firefighting resources and personnel.
To date, the governor has declared a state of emergency for the following counties: Kern, Butte, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and Trinity.
Also on Monday morning, the Kern County Fire Department sent a strike team of engines for structure protection in the Thompson Canyon area due to the threat from the Piute Fire, according to the fire department Web site. The fire is also threatening the French Meadow area, Brown’s Meadow and the historic town site of Claraville.
The fire remained active through the night with extreme fire behavior observed, the department reported. No structures had been lost as of early Monday.
Some 439 firefighters are assigned to the fire, including 107 from the Kern County Fire Department.
Residents asked to evacuate may stay at the Lake Isabella Senior Center at 6409 Lake Isabella Blvd. in Lake Isabella. Red Cross volunteers are available at that location to assist any evacuees affected by the fire.
A respite center has opened at the Twin Oaks Community Church, 16115 Caliente Creek Road, according to a Red Cross release.
The Red Cross encourages evacuees to bring a change of clothing, toiletries, prescription medicines, important documents and contact numbers for friends and family.
Persons interested in volunteering to assist the Red Cross should contact the Kern chapter at 661-324-6427. Monetary donations are being requested to help with the costs of the emergency operation.