California Fire Fighters Work 24/7 to Contain Wildfires

July 28, 2010 – Members of Kern County, CA Local 1301, CDF Fire Fighters Local 2881 and strike teams from around the state of California are working in 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day to contain two wildfires burning.

Both fires are located in Kern County. The first began July 26 in the Sequoia National Forest and has since blazed through 14 structures and more than 24 square miles. About 400 fire fighters are on the scene and have contained about 5 percent of the blaze.

The second began July 27 10 miles south of Tehachapi and presents a bigger threat to homes. It has already taken 30 homes and is threatening 150 more. About 250 fire fighters are on the scene of this fire, which has burned two square miles and is 25 percent contained.

Kern County Local 1301 President Derek Robinson says his fire department was lucky to have received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant just before these two wildfires began.

“Because of the grant, we have been able to keep three fire stations open that were previously slated for closure,” says Robinson. “One of those stations is located just outside the Tehachapi fire.”

However, even with the grant dollars, Robinson says they are still struggling with these fires. “Even with those three stations open, we still do not have enough bodies to cover the wildfires and backfill the fire stations,” he says. “Fighting these fires wouldn’t be possible without Local 2881 fire fighters and strike teams from other IAFF locals around the state.”

Another challenge fire fighters face is the weather. Relative humidity is in the single digits and temperatures escalate to more than 90 degrees daily. High winds, especially around the Tehachapi area, are also fueling the fires.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency for Kern County.