Timely presentation about fire mitigation, Aug. 7

Provided by Kern County Fire Department.

Fire Engineer, Ethan Kennedy.

Given the recent number of wildfires near Tehachapi and adjoining communities, the Stallion Springs Community Response Team (CERT) will be hosting a presentation titled, "Residential Fire Hazards in Rural Communities." The presenter will be Fire Engineer Ethan Kennedy from the Kern County Fire Department.

Kennedy will address the causes of typical home fires. These include: kitchen related fires; fires caused by heating equipment; fires resulting from a lack of appliance maintenance and home electrical fires. Included in the presentation will be strategies homeowners can implement to mitigate the risks of such fires.

Additionally, Fire Engineer Kennedy will address what homeowners can do to defend their homes from wildfires. The buffer zone homeowners should create around their homes, known as a defensible space, will be thoroughly explained. Additionally, the role of wind driven embers (the leading threat of wildfire, which cause up to 90% of structure loss, will be discussed as well as steps to minimize their impact.

The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stallion Springs Community Service District Board Room, 27800 Stallion Springs Dr. The Tehachapi community is invited to attend.