Hazard Reduction

Remember, Hazard Reduction Clearances are due by JUNE 15th

In and effort to better protect and serve the residents of Kern county, the Kern County Fire Department has updated its hazard reduction program. Kern County Fire is contracted by the state, and therefore is responsible for the enforcement of state fire codes. In addition to state fire codes, Kern County also has ordinance codes that are also enforced throughout the county.

In 2011 the KCFD implemented an inspection and citation process to ensure property owners abide by state fire codes and county ordinances. Property owners that are found to be in violation as of June 16^th are subsequently cited $250.00 for the violation. Property owners that have not had their properties cleared 30 days after receipt of the violation will receive an additional citation of $500.00.

Any citation that is not paid in full will either be put on to the property owners tax bill, or the citation will be sent to a collection agency, who will then collect the payment. All proceeds from these citations are then put back into the Kern County Fire Plan and Hazard Reduction Fund to be used in further community education, fuels projects, community chipper days, or educational publications. The goal of the Kern County Fire Department’s hazard reduction and citation process is to ensure that Kern County’s rural mountain communities are fire safe and as defensible as possible in case of a wild land fire.

If you would like to report a fire hazard  or would like further information contact your local fire station. The Fire Hazard Reduction Program is operated by the Kern County Fire Department Hazard Reduction Officer, and may be contacted on (661) 391-7136. Local fire stations and inspectors also assist in the compliance inspections.

Hazard Reduction Providers

The following is a list of Hazard Reduction Service Providers available in your area, provided to you as a convenience.  The Kern County Fire Department  does not endorse nor recommend any particular individual on this list; the individuals may or may not be licensed or bonded.  We suggest that you contact several of the providers for estimates on the work to be done and any agreements entered into are solely between the provider and the property owner.  Please contact the fire station as soon as the work has been completed to obtain clearance.