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| Kennedy Meadows Affected
By Manter Fire |
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Kennedy Meadows, 7-28-00
The fire which began in Manter
Meadows last Saturday, has made it's mark on the land many visit each summer.
Public information officer
Kris Fister said, it appears to be human caused. "In terms of being a campfire
or something, that still is under investigation. I don't believe they were
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| to find evidence of a campfire
ring, but there was no lightning activity during the time that this fire
started."
So far, structure loss has
been minimal. Limited to one main structure and some out buildings at a
Boy Scout camp, "Certainly the structures here in Kennedy Meadows, there
is a threat to them," Fister said. She added, "We don't know if any other
buildings, particularly residences have been lost."
"All of the injuries so far
in the fire have been relatively minor to my understanding. Cuts, and I
think there was a slight burn, but fortunately we've been real fortunate
so far there's been no major injuries." As of this time, Fister said, nearly
1,000 personnel are working the fire from federal, state and county agencies.
Fire fighting crews from as far away as Oklahoma arrived Thursday night
and went to work immediately. |
| All some long time residents
of the small community could do is wait, watch, and hope. As the evacuation
process began, some residents retreated to Grumpy Bears, a small but symbolic
restaurant not far from the fires line. Most remained calm. In fact, life
almost appeared to be the same there as any other day. But when word came
in that the fire had jumped the road, threatening again, moods changed. |
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| Some people had decided
to stick it out and protect what property they could and remain home. But
when the fire jumped the south fork of the Kern River earlier, many felt
it was time to go. They grabbed what property they could, leaving the rest
behind. Hoping for the best, yet fearing the worst. Some set up home in
their travel trailers at the bottom of Nine Mile Canyon, one of three roads
leading into the small community. |
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Ranchers in the area were
able to move all of their livestock to the Desert Empire Fairgrounds in
Ridgecrest before they were threatened. However, a few cattle still remained
in a meadow between Grumpy Bears and Pinion Pass, about 5 miles away. Other
small animals could be seen from time to time, making their retreat as
well. No doubt displaced from the flames that took their homes. |
| There was some speculation
that some residences had been lost in the fire, however, it turned out
to be only rumor. There are as many as 80 residences in the area, but most
are spread out and inaccessible to major fire equipment. Air tankers did
what they could to break the fires advance on them. And although backfires
were set to keep property loss to a minimum, Saturday, conditions are expected
to deteriorate, putting structures in danger once again. |
| The American Red Cross has
set up a shelter at James Monroe middle school in Ridgecrest for the residents
of Kennedy Meadows. Anyone wishing to help may contact them at 760-939-3208,
or 760-375-7219. Radio station KLOA is also taking donations and non perishable
food items anyone wishes to donate. Items may be dropped off there at 731
N. Balsam St. in Ridgecrest, or call them at 375-8888. |
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| So far, nearly 30,000 acres
have burned according to Fister, and there is still no estimate as to when
the fire will be contained, she said. Manter
Photo Gallery |
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