Incident Update 2024 SQF Lightning Complex

Situation Summary

Total Acres – 92,103 acres

Trout Fire: 23,559 acres - 49% containment

Long Fire: 9,204 acres - 95% containment

Borel Fire: 59,340 acres | 68% contained

Total Personnel: 1,059

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

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

Current Situation: Red flag weather conditions continue today as the Borel Fire has burned over 53,000 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 to the east and south. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities. KRN-100-B, 102-B, 419 and 744 have been placed under an Evacuation Warning. 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. 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 advanced rapidly through sections of dry vegetation in hot, humid, and windy conditions, spreading north, east, and south. The fire continues to spread east down the ridgeline of Libel Peak. The southeastern edge is north of Walker Basin, where dozers constructed line to hold the fire in its current footprint. In the northern section, crews used both direct and indirect tactics to establish a contingency line off of Kern Canyon Road. Aerial resources, including helicopters and air tankers, are supporting 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, fire behavior is expected to be severe again due to long-term red-flag-warning weather conditions. 

Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal on Sunday despite consistent warm, dry, and windy conditions, allowing crews to make progress in suppressing hot spots 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 with containment at 95 percent.

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)

Forest Closures

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 (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).

 

Large-Animal Assistance

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

 

Weather & Air Quality

A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 11 p.m. Monday 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. 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.  

 

State of Emergency and Federal Assistance

• In Kern County, Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency, meets with Borel Fire first responders

Evacuation Information:

Evacuations

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.

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.