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2024 SQF Lightning

Unit Information

220 E. Morton Ave 
Porterville, 
California 
93257 
220 E. Morton Ave 
Porterville, 
California 
93257 

Incident Contacts

2024 SQF Lightning and Borel Fires: Daily Incident Update, 08-01-2024

2024 SQF Lightning, Borel Fire
Publication Type: News - 08/01/2024 - 10:29

Borel Fire:  59,225 acres - 41% contained

Trout Fire: 23,369 acres - 49% contained

Long Fire: 9,204 acres - 95% contained

Total Personnel: 1,333

 

For more information on the SQF Lightning Fires, visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

For more information on the Borel Fire, visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-borel-fire

Current Situation: The Borel Fire has burned over 59,000 acres. Inspections of all damaged or destroyed structures continue, ensuring every affected home and structure is carefully documented. This compassionate approach will help us make informed decisions for swift and efficient recovery, providing the necessary resources and support to those in need. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities. There are still evacuation orders and warnings in place. Evacuation warnings and orders enhance safety for residents and allow emergency personnel to concentrate on controlling the fire. KRN-100-B, 102-B, 419 and 744 are latest zones under an Evacuation Warning. See the Evacuation section below for current evacuation zones. Residents can check the status of their zone using Genasys Protect's interactive map at tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9. The Borel fire is under a unified command led by the California Interagency Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 11, and the Kern County Fire Department.

Borel Fire: The Borel Fire has slowed its progression due to strong firefighting efforts along with changes in vegetation and topography. The southern edge of the fire is north of Walker Basin, where crews are continuing work to protect structures and connect hand and dozer line to hold the fire in its current footprint. In the northern section, firefighters are patrolling the Kern Canyon Road corridor and have held the fire south of Sandy Dip. Crews are monitoring and performing mop-up operations along Caliente-Bodish Road. The fire is most active in the eastern section where aerial resources, including helicopters and air tankers, are supporting ground crews in slowing the fires progression near Brown Meadow. Night flying helicopters made water drops throughout most of the night to advance suppression efforts and promote the success of daytime activities. Firefighters continue to focus on protecting structures and establishing containment lines around active fire fronts. Today’s fire behavior is expected to be moderate with slightly higher humidity. Temperature increases are trending upwards and wind gusts of up to 22 mph are expected on the ridges.

Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal on Wednesday with dry, warm and windy conditions. Crews are making progress suppressing hot spots along the fires edge. On the southern perimeter, crews continue to camp near the fireline in the Domeland Wilderness to extinguish lingering areas of heat and construct fireline with hand tools from Sirretta Pass toward Smith Meadow. Interior islands of vegetation continue to burn.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 95 percent.

 

Weather & Air Quality: Warmer conditions are expected today, with slightly increased humidity, and wind gusts up to 22 mph. Westerly winds will remain on the western portion of the Borel Fire, while southerly winds will flow on the eastern portion of the Borel Fire and on the whole of the Trout Fire. Lightning storms are possible beginning this afternoon and continuing Friday. A daily smoke outlook is produced for communities affected by wildfire smoke: tinyurl.com/452x2uzr.

Sequoia National Forest & BLM Closures & Restrictions: Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout and Long Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-12. Lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Borel Fire are closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-14. Fire restrictions are in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. All orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). View the emergency closure order here: tinyurl.com/4mprcb9b. The PCT is closed between Hwy 178 at Walker Pass (mile 653) and the South Fork of the Kern River bridge (mile 717.7).

Evacuation Center: Residents under an evacuation warning or order can go to either the Tehachapi Education Center (126 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi) or Burroughs High School (500 E French Ave, Ridgecrest). Animal services are available to assist in sheltering companion animals at the center. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

Large-Animal Assistance: The rodeo grounds in Kernville (467 Scodie Ave., Kernville) is available for residents who need to move large animals or livestock. For more information, contact Orion, Kernville Chamber of Commerce, 661-340-0026.

Road Closures: Portions of Caliente Bodfish Road are also closed. Visit the Kern County Public Works Department website for the most up to date information on county road closures (tinyurl.com/z6crvp6t)

Evacuations: Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in.

  • Kern County has multiple evacuation orders and warnings in effect due to the Borel Fire. The following zones are under an evacuation order: KRN-403-A, KRN-403B, KRN-734, KRN-735, KRN-736, KRN-737, KRN-738, KRN-739, KRN-740, KRN-741, KRN-742, KRN-743, KRN-747-A, KRN747-B and KRN-748.
  • The following zones are under an evacuation warning: KRN-100-B, KRN-102-B, KRN- 419, KRN- 729, KRN-730, KRN-731, KRN-732, KRN-733, KRN-744, KRN-749, KRN-750 and KRN-752
  • Tulare County has evacuation warnings and advisories in effect due to the Trout and Long Fires. The following zones are under an evacuation warning: TLC-E274-B and TLC-E261-B. The following zones are under an evacuation advisory: TLC-E297-A, TLC-E250, TLC-E274-A, and TLC-E261-A