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New Dip Site Enhances Fire Protection

New Dip Site Enhances Fire Protection


Posted by P6 Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - 07:22
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 A mutual project by the Kern County Fire Department and the Golden Hills Community Service District will provide another helicopter dip site for use during wild fires in the Tehachapi Valley. The site, located on the western perimeter of Golden Hills, was constructed by Kern County Crew 408, from Keene, and Fire Heavy Equipment Operators. Firefighters placed a five thousand gallon tank donated by the Kemira Company of Mojave at the site on Thursday April 10 and Golden Hills CSD personnel will install the water supply pipe and valve assembly necessary for filling the tank during a fire.

This new installation is the seventh dip site constructed in the Tehachapi area since the first was developed during the summer of 2005. Helicopter dip sites provide a strategically located water supply for firefighting helicopters that reduces the flight time between water drops therefore increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of our aircraft.  The existing sites have been used on several fires over the last few years. The dip sites located near the Mountain Valley Airport and on the Scheibel property in Old West Ranch played a key role in the fire suppression efforts during the White Fire that burned over 12,000 acres south of Tehachapi last June. 
A number of public and private organizations have been involved in the ongoing development of this vital fire protection project. The Kern County Fire Department, Golden Hills Community Service District, Tehachapi Cummings County Water District, Bear Valley Community Service District, Greater Tehachapi Fire Safe Council and Sand Canyon Volunteer Firefighters have been instrumental throughout the process.
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