LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. — Firefighting operations require the immediate need to house hundreds, or thousands, of personnel in remote areas, often for weeks at a time.
These “tent cities” are known as Fire Camps. The Bull Fire Camp supported over 2400 personnel at the peak of its suppression operation.
Feeding all of these firefighters can create a logistical challenge, sometimes leaving extra food at the end of the day.
This provides an opportunity for the Forest Service and Incident Management Team to donate non-perishable food items to community programs.
During the fire information public meetings held at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, local resident Cheryl Borthick suggested that the Incident Commander (IC) should donate the food to charity.
In response, Rocky Opliger, the IC, set up boxes at the Wallace Elementary fire camp to collect surplus non-perishable items. Four large boxes were collected over the next four days and donated to The Food Pantry located in Lake Isabella.
The Food Pantry serves many families in need throughout the Kern River Valley.
District Ranger Rick Larson stated, “Families exist in both our community and throughout America that we can assist. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has encouraged the Forest Service, and other agencies under the Department of Agriculture, to donate food to our local food banks. Food is the perfect way to give back to our communities and help make a difference in the lives of those in need.”
Information Provided By Kern River Ranger District
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