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Current Situation: The Borel Fire has burned 59,389 acres. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities. There are still evacuation orders and warnings in place. On Thursday, the status of several evacuation zones was updated. 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. Inspection teams continue their assessment, documentation, and mapping of all impacted structures within the fire perimeter. This careful and calculated approach will help us make informed decisions and provide the necessary resources and support to those in need. The Borel fire is under a unified command led by the California Interagency Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 11, Kern County Fire Department, and Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

Borel Fire: The Borel Fire has slowed its progression due to strong firefighting efforts along with changes in vegetation and topography. Calm winds and much higher relative humidities, after sunset, reduced fire activity in most areas of the fire overnight. 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 continue to monitor and perform mop-up operations along Caliente-Bodish Road. The eastern and southeastern corner of the fire are still active, but had minimal overnight growth. Helicopters worked late into the evening to slow the spread of the fire in this area. Firefighters are focusing on protecting structures and establishing containment lines around active fire fronts. Contingency line continues to be constructed by to protect the community of Claraville.

Trout and Long Fire: For continuing information, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

Weather & Air Quality: Significantly cooler temperatures are expected today, with dry lightning and thunderstorms, and gusty outflow winds of up to 18 mph. Westerly winds will remain on the western portion of the fire, while southerly winds will flow on the eastern portion. A Red Flag Warning is in place until 8:00pm tonight. 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 the Tehachapi Education Center located at 126 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi. 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. On Thursday, several changes to evacuation orders and warnings were announced, as described below. 

Be advised, the Borel Fire is not fully contained, only the zones listed below have been reduced. All other evacuation orders and warnings are still in effect. Please be aware that firefighting activities will continue for several more days or weeks. If any other areas become threatened, additional warnings and instructions will be issued. 

Zone 735: Genasys Zone KRN-735 has been split North and South at Ball Mountain. The southern portion, now KRN-735-B, will remain in an Evacuation ORDER. The northern portion, now KRN-735-A, has been downgraded to an evacuation WARNING. Those that remain under an evacuation warning should stay PREPARED to leave. The situation can change quickly, and visibility in the area may be reduced and roads can become blocked. 

Zone 750: The southern portion, KRN-750-A, will remain in Evacuation Warning status. Those that remain under an evacuation warning should stay PREPARED to leave. The situation can change quickly, and visibility in the area may be reduced and roads can become blocked. The evacuation warning status of the northern portion, KRN-750-B, has been restored to a normal status. There are no further advisories for Zone KRN-750-B. 

Zone 748: Zone KRN-748 has been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning status. Residents returning to the area should remain PREPARED to leave. The situation can change quickly, and visibility in the area may be reduced and roads can become blocked. 

Zone 734: The evacuation order for Zone KRN-734 has been lifted. There are no further advisories for this zone. 

Zones 752, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733 and 749: Zones KRN-752, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733 and 749 have all been restored to a normal status. There are no further advisories in place for these zones.

The Genasys Protect zone status is listed below.

• 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-735-B, KRN-736, KRN-737, KRN-738, KRN-739, KRN-740, KRN-741, KRN-742, KRN-743, KRN-747-A, and KRN747-B.
• The following zones are under an evacuation warning: KRN-100-B, KRN-102-B, KRN- 419, KRN-735-A, KRN-744, KRN-748, and KRN-750-A.