BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- In response to the Bull and West Fires in Kern County, ABC23 and KERN Radio will host a cash fundraiser for the American Red Cross on Tuesday, August 3.

Bull and West Fires

West Fire 25 Percent Contained

Over 16k Acres Burned In Bull Fire

Please bring your donations to the ABC23 Studios located at 321 21st Street in Bakersfield.

ABC23 will be accepting donations from 5 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. in front of the studios.

More Information On What The American Red Cross Kern Chapter Will Be Doing

The American Red Cross Kern Chapter is transitioning their Shelters into a Service Centers. The Service Centers will be opened to assist the residents affected by the Bull Fire (Riverkern) and West Fire (Tehachapi), providing shelter, food, comfort kits, guidance, and other assistance as needed to those in need.

Bull Fire (Lake Isabella)

Service Center Location:

Lake Isabella Senior Center

6409 Lake Isabella Blvd.

7am to 7pm as needed

Please call 661-324-6427 during business hours (1-800-951-5600 After Hours)

Please do not contact Senior Center directly

West Fire (Tehachapi)

Service Center Location:

Old Jacobsen Jr. High

126 Synder Street

7am to 7pm as needed

Call 661-324-6427 during business hours (1-800-951-5600 After Hours) for more information

Mass Care Items Available: Food, Water, Clean-Up Supplies, etc for clients affected by the West Fire.

Please do not contact the School directly

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. Help the victims of the Bull & West Fires by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Kern Chapter Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

To make a donation:
• Call 661-324-6427
• Send a contribution to the American Red Cross Kern Chapter
P.O. Box 1226/5035 Gilmore Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93302-1226
• Online at www.KernRedCross.org
• Mobile Giving: Text to 90999 the word “REDCROSS” to make a $5 donation

The Kern County is prone to seasonal wildfires, and the Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross urges residents to take steps now to stay safer when wildfires threaten.

“By preparing together for wildfires, we can make our families safer and our communities stronger,” said Jennifer Perfect, Public Support Officer for the Kern Chapter. “We can help you and your family create a wildfire preparedness plan now, before our community is threatened.”

If you are living in an area that is not affected by the current wildfires in Kern County, the Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for wildfires by:

Create and Practice a Home Wildfire Plan – Learn about wildfire risks in your area. Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a wildfire occurs. Select a place for family members to meet outside your neighborhood in case you cannot get home or need to evacuate.. Identify two routes out of your neighborhood in case the primary route is blocked.

Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit - Pack a first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, maps of the area, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries. Include essential legal and identifying documents in your kit in the event that you must quickly evacuate. Set aside household items that can be used as fire tools (e.g. a rake, ax, shovel, bucket, chain or hand saw).

Heed News Reports - Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated information. If threatened, be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice as wildfires can be unpredictable. Contain pets to one room so you can find them quickly.

Prepare Your Home– Select building materials and plants that resist fire. Regularly clean your roof and gutters to remove flammable debris. Identify and maintain an adequate water source outside your home to saturate your home’s perimeter if needed.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, contact the Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross at 661-324-6427, visit www.redcross.org or www.KernRedCross.org. We urge you to share these Red Cross wildfire preparedness tips with every member of your household, because the best protection is to be prepared ahead of time.