FS Release for July 4th weekend

[admin]

June 27, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Cody Norris, Public Affairs Officer
Phone: (760) 379-5646 ext. 530

Fourth of July Weekend on the Kern River Ranger District

LAKE ISABELLA, CA, The US Forest Service invites everyone to another patriotic celebration at Lake Isabella this
Independence Day weekend. In cooperation with the Forest Service, and through their special use permit, the Kern River
Valley Chamber of Commerce successfully organized the fireworks display occurring Saturday July 2. Fees at Auxiliary Dam,
Old Isabella, and South Fork Recreation Areas will be waived for spectators on Saturday from 6PM until the end of the
fireworks show (around 10PM).

Due to the lake's high water level, District Ranger Rick Larson is allowing overnight camping at Kissick Cove and Boulder Gulch
day use areas for the weekend (effective 6AM Friday July 1 through 6PM Monday July 4). Portable toilets and dumpsters
will be available at these sites. Public pastures will be closed during the holiday weekend due to the marshy condition
of the land.

Forest Service, Kern County Fire Department, and Bureau of Land Management firefighters will be on standby during the fireworks
event, which will start at approximately 9 PM Saturday. The agencies look forward to helping the public attend a wonderful
show while minimizing the risk of wildfires. To aid in this task, fire officials ask residents and visitors to acquire a campfire
permit and follow regulations if they plan to build a fire, barbecue, or operate a camp stove. No one should bring fireworks
of any kind, as they are illegal to discharge or possess in the Kern River Valley and Forest Service land; and law enforcement
will issue fines for any violations.

Forest Service trail crews are working to clear the large number of trees that fell this year during the winter storms; please
contact the local Forest Service office if you encounter any downed trees blocking roads or trails. Also, please exercise
caution when crossing creeks and streams while hiking because the flow rates are very high right now.

Please be especially careful this holiday weekend if you plan to be around the Kern River; it has already claimed several
lives this summer. We strongly discourage anyone from going into the river when not with a permitted rafting outfitter guide.
We also advise anyone that decides to get in or play around the river on their own to wear proper safety equipment, such as
a life jacket, at all times.

You are guaranteed to have a great time if you celebrate Independence Day with safety in mind.