West Fire containment expected by Saturday
| Friday, Jul 30 2010 12:18 PM
Last Updated Friday, Jul 30 2010 12:18 PM
The evacuation of 150 residents from their homes because of a wildfire that began Tuesday in Old West Ranch was lifted Friday, officials said.
A residential assistance group was set up at Dennison and Summers drives to provide information and help for residents who have been impacted, officials said.
It will include helping residents to their homes, guidelines for temporary power outages, disinfecting wells after an emergency, financial vouchers to assist with food and fuel and mental health services.
Residents driving in the area should remain cautious as emergency vehicles and personnel will continue work on the fire.
The assistance group includes Kern County Fire, Kern County Office of Emergency Services, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Tehachapi Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff's Department.
Meanwhile, good conditions and strong fire protection on the east flank of the West fire have diminished the threat to the windmill farm and the electrical infrastructure for the city of Tehachapi, CalFire reported.
Containment for the 1,658-acre fire on the Old West Ranch four miles southeast of Tehachapi has increased to 46 percent with full containment expected by Saturday, officials said.
If the wind picks up, the fire could flare up again Friday, but Thursday was a day of minimal activity and lots of mopping up by crews among the more than 1,200 firefighters called to the operation.
Assessment teams are scanning the ranch to determine exactly how many structures were damaged or lost, but so far the estimates remain at 25 to 40 structures damaged or destroyed, including houses and mobile homes.
The fire, which started Tuesday afternoon, was human caused, CalFire reported. Locals said it was started by men cutting metal with a grinder that sent sparks into grass and brush off Blackburn Canyon Road. Fire officials say the cause is under investigation.
The Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross has established a service center that's open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. at Old Jacobsen Junior High School, 126 Snyder St.
