Interagency Declaration for the 2009 Wildland Fire Season

FIRE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE 2009 FIRE SEASON - 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18th.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Tule
River Reservation Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department (KCFD)
will announce an “Interagency Declaration for the 2009 Wildland Fire
Season” at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18th.

Fire officials, representing all agencies, will make the announcement
at a press conference:
When: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18th.
Where: Kern County Fire Station 62,
Where: Meadows Field Airport Station, located at 1652 Sunnyside Court in Bakersfield.
From Norris Road, drive north on Pegasus Drive to Sunnyside Court, then
turn east and drive to the end of the court. Access to the airport
station is through the sliding gate.

The declaration will cover all lands within the following jurisdictions:
1. Forest lands managed by the Sequoia National Forest located in
Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties and will include the Giant Sequoia
National Monument.
2. Public lands managed by the BLM Bakersfield Field Office
throughout Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa
Barbara and Ventura counties.
3. Public and private land under the direct protection of the Kern
County Fire Department.
4. Land within the boundaries of the Tule River Indian Reservation
located in Tulare County.

Fire season officially begins when seasonal firefighting
equipment and personnel are in place, prepared, and ready to respond.
Early high temperatures and low humidity has fire officials concerned
that the threat of wildland fires will significantly increase as
conditions continue to become drier in the low elevation foothills and
mountainous areas.

100' of defensible space:
Homeowners living in the Wildland Urban Interface are reminded to
complete their defensible space by clearing hazardous dry vegetation
away from their homes, outbuildings and property. State law requires
property owners to clear a minimum of 100 feet from any structure.
Property clearance for fuels reduction work must be completed by June
9th.

California campfire permits:
If you plan on visiting the Sequoia National Forest or BLM
lands, visitors must have a California campfire permit in their
possession for the use of wood fires, charcoal barbecues, and portable
gas stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
These permits are free and can be obtained from any Forest Service, BLM
or California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection office.

“Be Fire Wise!!!”
With the potential for a hot and dry summer ahead, fire
officials urge the public to “Please Be Fire Safe,” when visiting
our forests and public lands. Communities need to be prepared!!
Wildfires can be damaging. It’s a clear choice, “Be Fire Wise!!!”