Photo by Christina Denys
Staff Reports
- Destroys Havilah
- More than 1,000 personnel battling blaze
- Evacuation orders issued
As Kern River Valley residents near the one week mark of the Borel Fire the loss of property and homes and the uncertainty of what’s next is on everyone’s mine.
An accident last Wednesday in the Kern River canyon closed Highway 178 and started the destructive inferno now known as the Borel Fire. The highway remained closed as of press time. The driver, yet to be identified, died at the scene.
Also as of press time this week the fire had burned over 50,000 acres with zero containment. Over 1,000 firefighters are on the fire and more are expected to come throughout the week.
For the latest on the fire and area road closures please go to kernvalleysun.com or the Kern Valley Sun Facebook page.
Fast Facts on Borel Fire:
- The town of Havilah, Kern County’s first county seat was destroyed by the fire. Only the school and fire station are left standing. Multiple homes lost.
- Bodfish remains under mandatory evacuation notice. Sheriff Donny Youngblood has asked all residents cooperate with law enforcement and leave the mandatory evacuation zones.
- Lake Isabella remains under evacuation warning.
- Smoke continues to dominate KRV space and unhealthy breathing conditions will remain for some time.
- Red Flag wind warnings continue and is the cause of erratic fire conditions.
- Helicopters continue to drop water on the fire. Smoky conditions make the use of fixed wing aircraft unsafe to fly and fight the fire.
- Several road closures exist throughout the area. For up to date information 24/7 go to Kern County Public Works Department website for county road closures. For all others go to Caltrans map for information:quick-map.dot.ca.gov.
- While KRV evacuation site is closed, Ridgecrest evacuation site remains open for Borel Fire Evacuations. It is located at Burroughs High School.
