Camp Lakota Burns in Cuddy Valley

  • View of the fully-involved structure fire at Camp Lakota in Cuddy Valley. [Eubank Photo]

    View of the fully-involved structure fire at Camp Lakota in Cuddy Valley. [Eubank Photo]

UPDATE-CUDDY VALLEY (January 8, 2010, 7 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department’s official report about the Camp Lakota fire adds these details: On arrival to the Camp Lakota location, crews found the main lodge/dining hall 75 to 80% involved and threatening a1000 gallon propane tank and a second structure. Though unable to save the lodge, crews were able to keep the propane tank and nearby structures from becoming involved. There were no reported injuries. At this time the potential loss is undetermined. The cause is under investigation; though the area near the water heater is of interest.

UPDATE–CUDDY VALLEY (January 8,2010, 2:45 p.m.)—At about 1:10 p.m. today a report was received from Camp Lakota in Cuddy Valley (on Dorothy Lane, in the Steinhoff Road/White Rock area). Initial reports indicate that the "mess-hall" has been destroyed. Some official reports indicate that is the camp’s beautiful old lodge building. An adjacent two-story building was reported to be involved or threatened.

As of 2:44 p.m. the fire is reported to be nearly out. It did not spread into surrounding trees. Low water pressure in the area left two tanker trucks dry. Mike Horowitz—whose property is adjacent to Camp Lakota—filled his own 2,000-gallon water tanker within 15 minutes and arrived to fill two 750-gallon tanker trucks on-scene that are pressurized for firefighting.

All Mountain Community Kern County Fire Department engines responded, including Mettler 55, Lebec 56, Frazier Park 57 and Pine Mountain’s 58. They were assisted by Los Angeles County’s Gorman Engine 77, the U.S. Forest Service fire crew from Chuchupate and a water truck from Mettler, according to Bill Brickey, speaking for KCFD.

CUDDY VALLEY (January 8, 2010, 1:40 p.m.)—Camp Lakota on Dorothy Lane in Cuddy Valley has lost two structures in a fire which began shortly after 1 p.m. The camp’s lodge building and another structure have been lost, according to preliminary fire department reports. Multiple engine companies have arrived to fight the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. More facts and updates will be posted here shortly.

 

 

This is part of the January 08, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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