BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Evacuation orders have been issued due to the Borel Fire burning in the Kern River Valley mountains.
The fire began Wednesday afternoon just before 1 p.m. after a vehicle crashed and caught fire down an embankment off Highway 178 near Democrat Road. Flames quickly spread up the hillside. The fire has burned more than 38,000 acres as of Saturday afternoon.
Officials Saturday said the fire grew by 30,000 acres over 24 hours. It is at 0% containment. Some areas where the Borel Fire is burning had not burned in 20 or 30 years, spurring a buildup of lots of dry brush and grasses.
More than 1,200 firefighters are working to put out the fire.
You can watch Saturday afternoon’s update in the video player above.
Evacuation orders
The evacuation is in order for zone KRN-403-A, along Highway 178 in the canyon. All residents in this area should leave now, according to the Genasys Protect website. The order issued means there is an immediate threat to life.
The zone includes areas north of Forest Route 28S07, south Highway 178, east of Breckenridge Road and Highway 178, and west of Forest Route 28S19.
KCFD also issued an evacuation order for the Piute Meadows Ranches area Friday morning. The order covers north of Stagecoach Dr., south of Pine St., east of Foxtail Canyon Rd., and west of Red Mountain. Residents between these areas are encouraged to leave immediately.
Havilah, Genasys zone KRN-737, has also been ordered to evacuate. The order stands for areas north of Forest Route 28s05, South of Clear Creek, Rankin Peak, East of Breckenridge Rd. and west of Forest Route 28s05.
Havilah North, Genasys zone KRN-736, has been placed under an evacuation order. Those areas include north of Clear Creek, Rankin Peak, south of Saddle Springs Saddle Rd., east of Forest Route 28s19, Kern Canyon Rd. and west of Bald Eagle Peak.
Breckenridge, Genasys zone KRN-403-B, has also been placed under evacuation orders. Those areas include north of Kern Canyon Rd., Caliente Bodfish Rd., south of Highway 178, east of Kern River Canyon Rd. and west of Caliente Bodfish Rd.
The area of Piute, Genasys zone KRN-747-B, has also been placed under evacuation orders. Those areas include north of Piute Mountain Rd., east of Silver Fox Dr, School St, Saddle Springs Rd and west of Saddle Springs Rd.
In the area of Piute Meadows, Genasys zone KRN-740, has also been placed under evacuation. If you are north of Williams Road, south of Caliente Bodfish Road, east of Johns Road and west of Airport Drive, Jacob Road and Gossip Rock Street, leave immediately.
In Thompson Canyon, residents of Genasys zone KRN-741 are also urged to evacuate. If you live north Thompson Canyon Avenue and Gossip Rock Street, south of Silver Fox Drive, east of Kendall Road, and west of Sequoia Road, Thompson Canyon Road and Piute Mountain Road, leave immediately.
Near the Walker Basin, residents inside Genasys zone KRN-742, need to leave as soon as possible. Those areas include north of Walker Basin Road, south of Piute Mountain Road, east of Jacob Road, Airport Drive, and Walker Basin Road, and west of Franceschi Road, Piute Mountain Road, and Leon Hale Ranch Road.
Residents in Genasys zone KRN-739 are urged to leave as soon as possible. Areas included are north of Walker Basin Road, south of Stagecoach Drive, east of Caliente Bodfish Road, and west of Walser Road, Airport Drive, Williams Road and Walker Basin Road.
In the area of Piute, an evacuation order has been issued for Genasys zone KRN-747-A. Residents north of Clark Hale Trail and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, south of Forest Trail Route 34E31, and east of Forest Trail Route 34E34, you are urged to leave immediately.
An evacuation order has also been issued for Genasys zone KRN-734. Residents who are north of Caliente Bodfish Road and Lake Isabella Boulevard, south of Chain Avenue and Isabella Walker Pass Road, east of Kern Canyon Road, and west of Lake Isabella Boulevard, you are advised to leave as soon as possible.
An evacuation order has been issued for Genasys zone KRN-735. If you are north of Saddle Springs Road and South Alpine Way, south of Bodfish Canyon Road, east of Caliente Bodfish Road and Saddle Springs Road, and west of Hamilton Road, you are advised to leave immediately.
In the area of Bodfish Canyon, Genasys zone KRN-748 is under evacuation. If you are north of South Alpine Way, south of Cactus Road and Todd Court, east of Poplar Lane and Saddle Springs Road, and west of Erksine Creek Road, leave the area immediately.
Near Rankin Ranch and Shadow Mountain, Genasys zone KRN-743 has been placed under evacuation. If you are north of Woodchopper Road, south of Walker Basin Road, east of Caliente Bodfish Road and Walker Basin Road, and west of Woodchopper Spring and Walker Basin Road, leave the area immediately.
Evacuation warnings
The Kern River Canyon is under an evacuation warning. Genasys Zones KRN-733, KRN-732, KRN-750, KRN-730, KRN-749, KRN-729, and KRN-752 should prepare to leave.
Sign up for alerts
County officials urge residents to sign up for emergency alerts from Ready Kern. Register for Ready Kern at this link.
You can enter your address and see your evacuation zone at Genasys Protect. Download the Genasys Protect app and get alerted if you need to evacuate. You can find it at this link.
Evacuation shelters
The Red Cross opened a shelter at the Tehachapi Education Center at 126 S Snyder Ave. for anyone impacted by the fire. An additional shelter in Ridgecrest is now open for anyone affected by the Borel Fire. The shelter is located at 500 E French Avenue.
Animal Rescue Services
Large Animals or livestock can be moved to the rodeo grounds in Kernville, located at 467 Scodie Avenue. The Kern County Fairgrounds is accepting large animals in emergency situations as well, at 1142 South P Street. Officials advise those in need to call 661-868-7100 extension 2, before bringing them to the fairgrounds.
The Desert Empire Fairgrounds in Ridgecrest is also accepting large animals due to the emergency evacuations, according to Eric A. Bruen, the Mayor of Ridgecrest.
Officials say Kern County Animal Services will be on scene at the Lake Isabella evacuation shelter to assist with small animals. Shelter, food, water, and emotional support will be provided.
Road closures
According to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Page, Highway 178 from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella remains closed due to the fire.
Bealeville Road is closed at Highway 58, according to CHP.
Westbound traffic on Breckenridge is closed at Caliente Bodfish Road.
Kern River Canyon Road west of Lake Isabella Boulevard is closed to all traffic.
Northbound traffic on Caliente Bodfish Road is closed at Caliente Creek Road.
Northbound traffic on Caliente Bodfish Road is closed at Walser Road.
Closures in the area are expected to last through the night and possibly the next couple of days, according to the CHP Page.
On July 24, The Borel Fire began around 1 p.m. on Highway 178, near Democrat Road southwest of Lake Isabella. The Kern County Fire Department says a car went over the side of the canyon and caught fire.
The fire has burned just over 38,000 acres. The driver of the vehicle died at the scene.
There’s no estimate on when Highway 178 through the canyon will reopen.
