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2024 SQF Lightning
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2024 SQF Lightning: Daily Incident Update, 07-28-2024
2024 SQF Lightning, Borel Fire
Publication Type: News - 07/28/2024 - 10:23
Trout Fire: 23,369 acres - 25% containment
Long Fire: 9,204 acres - 35% containment
Borel Fire: 38,446 acres - 0% containment
Total Personnel: 1,059
Current Situation: Under red flag weather conditions, the Borel Fire has burned over 38,000 acres in less than four days. Firefighters are actively engaging the fire using both direct and indirect tactics, while law enforcement continues evacuation efforts as the fire moves eastward. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities. Evacuation warnings and orders enhance safety for residents and allow emergency personnel to concentrate on controlling the fire. Residents can check the status of their zone using Genasys Protect's interactive map at tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9. As of Sunday morning, fire management has transitioned to a unified command led by the California Interagency Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 11 and the Kern County Fire Department.
Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal on Sunday despite consistent warm, dry, and windy conditions, allowing crews to make progress in suppressing hotspots along the fire’s edge. On the southern perimeter, crews set up 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.
Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal, consisting primarily of creeping and smoldering flames. Some unburned vegetation in the fire’s interior may continue to produce smoke, but crews report no heat sources threatening existing containment lines. Firefighters continue to make progress constructing handlines southwestward from the fire’s northeast side near the Pacific Crest Trail toward Palome Creek.
Borel Fire: The Borel Fire has slightly slowed its progression due to a change in fuel complexion as vegetation goes from dry grass to green brush. The fire is spreading eastward towards the ridgeline of Libel peak. Its southward edge sits west of Walker Basin and south eastward toward Thompson Canyon. Aerial resources, including helicopters and air tankers, are being utilized to support ground crews in slowing the fire's progression. Firefighters are focusing on protecting structures and establishing containment lines around the most active fire fronts. Today, the fire behavior is expected to be, once again, very extreme under long-term red-flag-warning weather conditions.
Weather & Air Quality: A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 11 p.m. Sunday for low relative humidity and elevated winds. Fire behavior on new and existing fires is expected to be extreme. Hot, dry conditions are expected today with wind gusts up to 35 mph possible. Westerly winds will remain elevated on ridgetops throughout Sunday night. 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’s Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. 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 the Tehachapi Education Center (126 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi). Animal services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center.
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: State Route 178 is closed from 4.1 mi east of the junction of SR 184 to Democrat Springs. View the interactive Caltrans map for the most current road closure information: quickmap.dot.ca.gov/. 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- 729, KRN-730, KRN-731, KRN-732, KRN-733, 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