A post fire workshop for communities affected by the Borel Fire, titled “The Fire’s Out! Now What?” will be held Thursday September 12, from 9am to 12pm, at the Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Boulevard, Lake Isabella.
Wendy Ward wildfire mitigation coordinator for the Kern Fire Safe Council said, “The event is open to everybody but it will focus on the Borel Fire, burn scar area, the area that was affected by the wild fire.”
Ward said, “The NRCS is the one posting the event, and they’re with the US Department of Agriculture. There will also be the US Forest Service. Kern County Fire Department will be talking about the Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) report.”
Entities will be talking about the potentials of flooding or damage to the area. They will address the topics of erosion control and tree mortality. They will also address the topic of weed management, post wild fire, because in the spring things will be popping up. Other topics at the event include fuel management options and the damage assessment report related particularly to Havilah.
Ward said that the event will focus more on looking forward and ahead when it comes to the forest. “Well have tons of handouts and fliers,” she said. “I think that the people who are attending can expect to get the reports back on the potential damage flooding on the homes and the community of Havilah and what to do going forward.”
UC Cooperative Extension of Kern County will be brought in as a speaker. Ward told the Kern Valley Sun they’re going to talk about Weed Management after the Burn. “Everything is going to be external or nature based. So we’re not talking about structures and homes. It would be more tree mortality, weed management, defensible space going forward outside your home, in the area of Havilah,” said Ward.
Speakers will be spread out, in 20 to 25 minute sessions, in its progression. The event will be open, so people are welcome to come, any time during the event.
“The general word I would like to get out is the most information that the homeowner has to prepare for what’s coming, or the future ahead, is what’s important to them. Even if they think it doesn’t apply, it may apply, down the road. As they come and get the information it will give them the ability to take that home and look at their land and their home or their ranch and prepare,” Ward said.
If you live in a community affected by the fire, please consider attending. There will be short informative presentations and the public will get questions answered, according to organizing agencies.
