Huge increases in containment of Bull and West fires
| Friday, Jul 30 2010 07:53 PM
Last Updated Friday, Jul 30 2010 08:56 PM
The American Red Cross shelters set up in response to this week's wildfires have been converted to service centers providing supplies to those affected by the fires. Here's how to donate to the American Red Cross Kern Chapter Disaster Relief Fund:
* Call 661-324-6427.
* Send a contribution to the American Red Cross Kern Chapter, P.O. Box 1226, 5035 Gilmore Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93302-1226.
* Go online at www.kernredcross.org.
* Text to 90999 the word "REDCROSS" to make a $5 donation.
The Salvation Army is also helping those affected by the fires, and donations can be made by calling (800) SAL-ARMY and designate your gift to "Golden State Fire Relief."
Source: American Red Cross Kern Chapter and The Salvation Army.
Images
Congressman Kevin McCarthy, of Bakersfield walks through the remains of a house Friday, that burned down Monday in Riverkern, California after the Bull Fire roared through the small mountain town, north of Kernville and has burned over 16,000 acres thus far.
A toy fire engine sits on the fireplace, Friday, of a home that burned Monday in Riverkern in the Bull Fire.
Zack Sims, a firefighter with the Slide Mountain Hand Crew, from North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection was sifting through the ash to make sure it was cool as part of the mop up operation, Friday on the Bull Fire, north of Kernville.
Kern County Fire Department Deputy Chief, Michael Miller, left, Congressman, Kevin McCarthy, center, and Kern County Fire Chief, Nick Dunn, walk through the area of Riverkern, Friday, where several homes were burned to the ground during the Bull Fire on Monday.
A final assessment has been reached regarding the total number of houses and other buildings destroyed by the West Fire near Tehachapi, with 64 structures completely engulfed by the blaze.
A damage assessment team found 23 residences were destroyed and eight were damaged, according to a Kern County Fire Department news release. In addition, 41 outbuildings were destroyed and six were damaged.
But with that somber news came the report that the fire is 85 percent contained after burning 1,658 acres and full containment is expected Sunday, the news release said. Friday's weather allowed fire crews on the ground and in the air to strengthen control lines, and the evacuation order for residents in Old West Ranch was lifted.
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. Meanwhile, the threat to the windmill farm and the electrical infrastructure for the city of Tehachapi has been diminished, CalFire reported.
The fire began Tuesday afternoon and 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. Officials are still investigating.
Friday also saw a jump in containment for the far larger Bull Fire north of Kernville. That fire was 65 percent contained and had burned 16,460 acres as of Friday evening, Bureau of Land Management spokesman Larry Ames said. Full containment is not expected until Aug. 10.
Three firefighters have suffered injuries, but nothing serious, Ames said. Hand crews were rafted across the Kern River to work the western flank of the fire, while crews completed containment lines on the northern, eastern and southern perimeters.
Seven homes in RiverKern and a Sequoia Lodge building were destroyed, as well as six outbuildings, but there has been no new structure damage since Tuesday, officials said.
The human-caused blaze started Monday. The specific cause remains under investigation, officials said.
No evacuations are currently in effect. Sierra Way, also known as Mountain Highway 99, is closed from Headquarters Campground about four miles north of Kernville to Brush Creek.
