17 News @ Sunrise 08/08/2024

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17 News @ Sunrise 08/08/2024

Aug 8, 2024 · 24m 6s

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Some of today's top stories - Kern County has not stopped shaking... ever since that 5.2 magnitude earthquake rumbled through Tuesday night... shaking homes, breaking windows and waking people from...

Some of today's top stories

Kern County has not stopped shaking... ever since that 5.2 magnitude earthquake rumbled through Tuesday night... shaking homes, breaking windows and waking people from their sleep.
There have been hundreds of aftershocks - including a 4-point-4, widely felt, just after seven o'clock last night. The epicenter of Tuesday's 5-point-2 quake, was roughly eight miles west of Mettler and Interstate 5.
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows there have been hundreds of aftershocks, although most of them were too small to feel.
Seismologists say we can expect to feel aftershocks from Tuesday's quake for up to a week.
But, what they don't know is which fault the activity is coming from.
Kimberly Cheng with our sister station KTLA looks into the possibility it's a *new* fault.
Local Public safety experts are calling for more preparedness and safety as we continue to experience aftershocks, and for future earthquakes to come. CSUB geological science professor William Krugh (CREW) says sometimes, people's first instincts aren't the safest bet.
When earthquakes happen, Krugh says one of the worst things to do is run outside. Standing in a door way has long been reccomended, but that thinking now is considered out of date according to Krugh, because you could be hit by the door.
So again, your best bet is to get under something sturdy, away from windows or un-anchored furniture, and protect your head.
If you want other ways to keep yourself safe during these earthquakes, head to the disaster preparedness page on our website, KGET dot com
You can get early earthquake warnings by downloading the "My Shake" app for your smartphone.
This free app collects data from it's motion sensors to detect moderate-to-large earthquakes and can warn users to "drop, cover and hold on" shortly before a tremor begins.
Scientist say even a few seconds could be the difference between life and death.
Turning now to the Borel Fire, which charred the mountains east of Bakersfield. Crews are holding the line against what is now the largest fire in Kern County history--at almost 60-thousand acres burned.
The fire is 84-percent contained as of news time.
Yesterday afternon firefighters started escorting residents of Havilah and surrounding areas as they begin assessing the condition of their properties. KCFD reporting the fire destroyed over 200 structures, including 63 single family homes, 55 mobile homes and 34 motor homes...that's everything you see in red.
16 structures sustained varying levels of damage.
Almost 87-hundred other buildings escaped the flames' destruction--that's everything you see in black.
No injuries or deaths have been reported. And doctors are issuing this warning--do not disturb ash and debris the inferno left in its wake.
Harmful chemicals can become concentrated in the ash and soil following a fire.
And moving any of the waste from your property can disqualify hazardous waste removal assistance the county is trying to secure from the state.