Road closures off of Hwy 178 continue at McCray Rd and Dogwood, at Entrada south of Hwy 178, and Kelso Valley and Kelso Creek Rd.
A transition center is now open to support the repopulation effort. Normal hours of operation will be from 9AM-6PM. The location of the center is Wallace Elementary School at 3240 Erskine Creek Rd. in Lake Isabella. The preliminary function of this transition center is to provide information to displaced citizens about where resources are available and what resources are there.
RELATED:
Public Works: In coordination with Kern Regional Transit, a shuttle program has been established to take occupants from both evacuation shelters to the Transition Center and to Kern Valley High School at 3340 Erskine Creek Rd. in Lake Isabella. In coordination with Kern County Fire Department and the Kern High School District, the Sikh Friends of Bakersfield are offering free meals to Erskine fire victims, responders, and volunteers at Kern Valley High School from 11 AM to 5 PM daily.
Public Health: Kern County Public Health and the State of California will be offering a debris cleanup assistance program for all those residences affected by the Erskine Fire. The purpose of this program is to assist in getting your property clean, safe, and ready for rebuild. As soon as more information is available, residents will be able to sign up for the program.
Utilities: Southern California Edison (SCE) is continuing to monitor the weather (particularly possible thunderstorms in the area) as it may affect restoration efforts in the area today. Inclement weather could result in possible additional service interruptions.
We expect outage numbers will vary throughout the day. As of 8AM today we have approximately 1300 customers remaining without power. SCE is coordinating with county officials on their distribution of ice and water to residents in the area. SCE will also continue outreach efforts to critical care customers in the area. SCE will be at Wallace Elementary School Transition Center to address customer related issues- from 9AM to 6PM today.
As of today, 138 of more than 200 distribution poles have been replaced. Delivery of a generator to Mountain Mesa Hospital is expected to arrive at 11AM. SCE wants to remind customers that electric service interruptions are possible over the next several days due to ongoing infrastructure repair and replacement activities.
Amerigas Propane wants to encourage customers returning to their homes to call their energy provider prior to turning their system back on, if their system was turned off, or if they have had any interruption of service. Amerigas officials state that, “The National Fire Protection Association requires a leak check to be performed whenever propane supply is turned off prior to re-installing service.” Amerigas Propane will waive the leak check fee for all Amerigas Propane customers.
Donations: For the most up to date information on where to receive or donate goods, please contact our call center at 661-873-2660. For a list of donation sites where items are available for distribution please visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/kerncountyfire or our website at www.kerncountyfire.org.
Monetary donations are being encouraged for the local chapter of the Red Cross and for the United Way of Kern County. Animal related donations should be directed to Lake Isabella County Animal Shelter at 14891 Hwy 178 Monday-Friday from 8-5.
Do not send donations to the emergency shelters.
Non-monetary donations (non-food) in Bakersfield should be directed to Good Will locations throughout the county between 8-5. The Elks Lodge at 7608 Wofford Blvd in Wofford Heights in conjunction with the Salvation Army is also accepting non-monetary donations.
The following list of non-food donations are needed. Diapers and wipes, non-perishable food, paper towels, plastic cutlery, can openers, blankets, towels, wash cloths, sleeping bags, and NEW underwear. In general, due to the generosity of the community, donations of used goods and used clothes are no longer necessary at this time.
Non-perishable food donations should be directed to the Lake Isabella Food Pantry at 4621 Lake Isabella Blvd attention Steve or Phillis. Donations here are accepted 24/7. They need food that can make a meal such as canned chili, canned ravioli, canned soup, hamburger helper, etc.
We appreciate your cooperation and patience as new information is acquired and repopulation efforts continue.
