Residents of the Southern California foothill communities surrounding Santa Clarita were terrified by a fast-burning wildfire that engulfed 32,000 acres and destroyed 53 structures, including 24 homes. The volatile two-week blaze devastated properties in Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake, where 12 California Water Service Company (Cal Water) customers lost their homes. The efforts of local firefighters, including a team from the San Bernardino City Fire Department, helped to avoid any fatalities or serious injuries.
To ease the burden on customers’ families who were displaced by the fire, Cal Water provided Wal-Mart gift cards to each household. “We know their immediate needs are huge and we wanted to show our support in a small but tangible way,” said Cal Water’s Director of Corporate Communications Shannon Dean.
The U.S. Forest Service mobilized nearly 2,200 firefighters from across the West to battle difficult wildfire conditions that included triple digit temperatures, high winds, steep terrain, low humidity and unseasonably dry brush.
“Cal Water was proud to assist in the Powerhouse response effort,” commented Dean. “Treacherous conditions like these challenge all emergency responders, including local water agencies,” said Dean.
