KERN COUNTY, Calif., The Kern County Fire Department is excited to announce we have been awarded nearly $2.75 million in grant funds. The grant funds are part of the U.S.D.A. Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program. This program is intended to help at-risk local communities; plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire. The grant funds will provide for the following:
Prescribed Fire Program– $2,225,207 to purchase firing equipment and two transport trailers to support the KCFD Prescribed Fire Program as well as funding for prescribed burn operations in identified high-risk areas.
Prescribed Fire Program Training– $513,533 to provide training for KCFD Prescribed Fire Program members. These personnel will be utilized to provide required planning, direction, oversight, and technical expertise when conducting prescribed burns around Kern County’s at-risk communities.
We are grateful to have been selected for this grant funding and for the positive impact it will have on our ability to protect our communities.