Grapevine Public Safety Burn
DATE: Wednesday, May 21st
TIME: 1 p.m.
LOCATION: East side of Northbound I-5 @ Grapevine rd
GRAPEVINE, Calif. | May 21, 2025 — The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) will execute the “Grapevine” Public Safety Burn on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. This controlled burn will occur along the east side of northbound Interstate 5, at the base of the Grapevine, starting around 1 p.m. The operation is expected to continue through the afternoon and may extend into the evening.
Motorists passing through the area are advised to drive cautiously, reduce speed, and remain vigilant for firefighters and equipment along the highway. The KCFD thanks the public for their cooperation and support during this vital safety operation, which is crucial for protecting lives, property, and natural resources throughout the wildfire season.
The purpose of this strategic burn is to clear excess vegetation near the roadway, establishing a firebreak to hinder the spread of wildfires into nearby wildlands. This effort aims to safeguard local ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and communities such as Digier Canyon and Lebec from the threat of destructive summer wildfires.
What is a prescribed burn?
A prescribed burn, sometimes called controlled burn or public safety burn, is a prescription to treat an area through the reduction of vegetation to increase public safety. Specialists write this prescription to be carried out at a date, time, and manner to achieve the best results safely. The decision is made after an extensive and ongoing review of the location, vegetation types, vegetation moisture, weather, and burn history among other factors.
Why treat these areas?
Public safety burns help prevent a fire from extending from the roadway into the surrounding wildlands. This protects the landscape and habitat from destructive wildland fires. Additionally, this burn will reduce the likelihood that the communities of Digier Canyon and Lebec will be exposed to dangerous wildfire.
Community Message:
You may smell or see smoke. Whenever a fire is burning nearby, we recommend staying extra vigilant, keeping informed about changes in fire activity. Register at ReadyKern.com for emergency notifications and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Your Kern County Fire Department continues to actively manage hazards to our communities through prescribed burns and mechanical treatments (fuel breaks created by heavy equipment). We encourage all residents to make sure they are maintaining the required defensible space around their home.
