Supervisors are continuing a state of emergency over dead trees in Kern County through the month of May. County Fire Chief Brian Marshall told the board Tuesday there are about 3 million dead trees here and they’re more than just a major fire hazard. The trees have been shearing off in winds and rains, creating a serious danger to people. A coalition of local and state agencies have been knocking down trees killed by drought and bark beetles, then they are chipped for groundcover to prevent erosion. Planting new trees will come later.

Sean Michael Lisle