Public Health Top Concern for Emergency Managers at Erskine Fire
Channel: Cal OES
Date: 2016-06-25

As the Erskine Fire continues to burn around the area of Lake Isabella in Kern County, emergency managers are also looking at mitigating the short and long term health risks to residents and first responders in the impacted area. Through the first few days of the fire, first responders and health specialists were also keenly focused on the 72 patient evacuations of Kern Valley Hospital in Mt. Mesa. 
Raging winds and ideal conditions to fuel the Erskine Fire pushed flames within mere feet of the hospital and knocked out hardline power. 
In the video above, Environmental Health Director Donna Fenton, of Kern County's Department of Public Health, speaks to Cal OES about the current and emerging health hazards.