Wildfire Awareness Week Forum Held in Bear Valley Springs

Local Kern County Fire Department spokesman Tyler Townsend introduced the speakers at this year's event which was held at Cub Lake in Bear Valley Springs. Fire representatives from several agencies spoke on the need for "Advanced preparedness". Cal-Fires theme: Ready, Set, Go was emphasized. Ready... Build a defensible space around your property and buildings. Set...Have in place an evacuation route out of the area. Go...Leave at the first sign of a wild fire in your neighborhood. Don't wait to be ordered out. A small contingency of Bear Valley Springs residents were in attendance along with BVS Interim Police Chief Jeff Kermode, and local Cert representatives.

Speakers at the event (left to right) are Kern County Supervisor Chairman Mick Gleason, United States Forest Service Director of Fire & Aviation Pacific Southwest Region Chief Shawna LaGarza. To Capt. Townsends left is Cal-Fire Director Chief Ken Pimlott, and our own Kern County Fire Department Chief Brian Marshall. Mutual Aid by local, state and federal fire agencies was emphasized and as Chief Marshall stated. "None of us stand alone". It takes a cadre of firefighters and the help of the homeowner to keep our area safe from wildfires.