Borel, Trout and Long Fires

Borel, Sequoia NF, USFS. Twelve miles southwest of Lake Isabella, CA. Brush, grass and timber. Minimal fire behavior.

August 20, 2024 at 8:44 AM

With fire conditions moderating significantly over the past week, this will be the last information update for the Borel, Trout and Long fires, unless significant fire activity occurs. The current situation for all three fires is as follows: the Borel fire is at 59,288 acres and 94% containment, the Trout fire is at 23,822 acres and 75% containment, and the Long Fire is at 9,204 acres and 98% containment. California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 will begin transition of command of the Borel Fire to a local type-3 organization, and Trout Fire will be transitioned to a type-4 organization.

August 14, 2024 at 11:22 AM

We want to thank the New York City Fire Department Type 3 Incident Management Team for their efforts managing the SQF Lightning Fire over the past weeks. This morning, the team managing the Borel Fire (CA Interagency Incident Management Team 2) have assumed command of the Trout Fire and Long Fire. Fire activity is minimal, and is not posing a threat to additional growth. Fire suppression repair activities continue.

Borel Fire:  Firefighters are still on high alert for potential new fires that start in the immediate area and are ready for a rapid response. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have arrived and will begin to determine the need for and to prescribe and implement emergency treatments to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources. We encourage residents re-entering the area to proceed with caution to avoid unseen hazards caused by the fire, and help maintain the safety of repair crews working in the area.

Trout Fire: The fire continues to smolder and move slowly uphill in steep terrain. Crews will construct several miles of fire line to increase containment. Fire suppression repair operations continue in the fire area.

Long Fire: This fire is 98% contained, and nearly all Long Fire personnel have been reassigned to Trout or Borel. The area is being monitored, there is no threat, and no changes are expected.

Sequoia National Forest & BLM Closures & Restrictions: The Borel Fire Piute Mountains Area Closure begins at the northwest corner of Section 30, Township 27 South, Range 33 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, then continues approximately 47 miles around the Sequoia National Forest Boundary to the starting point. All orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k.

The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Office is lifting the emergency closure of the Creek Campground, a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, and Canebrake Road in Tulare County.  The closures were in place for public and firefighter safety in relation to the management of the SQF Lightning Complex Fire and are no longer necessary due to the lack of fire progression.  The closures are lifted as of Tuesday, August 13. Long Valley Campground and Long Valley Loop road remain closed. View the emergency closure order here: https://tinyurl.com/5n8rxcxh.

Road Closures:  Sherman Pass Road is closed from Mountain Highway 99 to the Blackrock Information Center. Visit the Kern County Public Works Department website for the additional information on county road closures (tinyurl.com/z6crvp6t)

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

August 11, 2024 at 8:59 AM

A Local Assistance Center will be open again today, August 11, from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm and will continue daily through Tuesday, August 13, from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. Address: Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, CA 93240.

Borel Fire: Expect the last remaining containment percentages to be the toughest to achieve due to steep and rugged terrain, presenting significant challenges to fire line construction. Crews are making excellent progress with suppression repair. Residents and visitors will see smoke during the day and occasional flare ups at night well within the fire perimeter. Neither pose a risk to escaping containment lines. Despite high temperatures over 100ºF on some parts of the fire, fire personnel and workers continued to work on restoring the landscape and repairing critical infrastructure throughout the fire area. Firefighters are still on high alert for any new fires to start in the immediate area and are ready for a rapid response. In the early afternoon yesterday, Borel fire companies were able to respond a short distance to the south and help Kern County FD with the Blue Fire (monitor KCFD information for the latest updates on the Blue Fire).

Trout Fire: Crews will continue to hold and mop-up along Sherman Pass Rd. Transition to damage assessment and suppression repair continues with a group being established to focus on these efforts where needed across both fires. Excess hose and equipment are being inventoried and backhauled. All crews have been extracted in steep country where there will be continued monitoring by air. The fire is burning in sparse fuels under timber understory. With the forecasted weather the fire will struggle to reach the indirect line for the next several days. Fire activity is expected to increase in the afternoon as relative humidity (RH) drops and the sun heats fuels. With west winds, spotting will be less of an issue.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 98 percent. The Long fire is being monitored by air. Suppression repair work continues, particularly in the Kennedy Meadows area. Grading operations are completed on Canebrake Rd. Fire suppression equipment is in the process of being inventoried and removed.

August 10, 2024 at 10:34 AM

Borel Fire:

A Local Assistance Center will be opening TODAY August 10, from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm and will continue daily through Tuesday, August 13, from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. Address: Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, CA 93240.

Current Situation: There is no expectation for additional growth on the Borel Fire, but crews remain ready to respond to any unexpected fire behavior. The focus is on suppression repair and eliminating flare ups in steep terrain within the fire’s perimeter. Several evacuations were lifted yesterday, leaving only two areas under Evacuation Order.

Borel Fire: Crews made excellent progress on suppression repair efforts yesterday. Firefighters continue to work hard in difficult terrain to completely contain the fire with line from hand crews and dozers. Isolated torching can be expected well inside the perimeter and can be seen as a visible glow at night. These isolated pockets of unburned fuel currently pose no threat to the fire’s perimeter or surrounding communities. As residents re-enter their neighborhoods and properties, we ask for careful, slow, and safe driving due to the large number of personnel still working, including fire, utilities, and other crews.

Trout Fire: 23,597 acres | 70% contained
Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 98% contained

Trout Fire: Crews will continue to hold and mop-up along Sherman Pass Rd. Transition to damage assessment and suppression repair continues with a group being established to focus on these efforts where needed across both fires. Excess hose and equipment are being inventoried and backhauled. Wildland fire modules have been extracted in steep country where there will be continued monitoring by air. The threat of short-range spotting will remain but may be mitigated with the gradual cooling and somewhat higher humidity as we get closer to Sunday. Heavy surface and ground fuels will continue to generate heat, driving that possibility.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 98 percent. The Long fire is being monitored by air. Suppression repair work continues, particularly in the Kennedy Meadows area. Grading operations continue down Canebrake Rd to 178. Fire suppression equipment is in the process of being inventoried and removed.

August 8, 2024 at 9:35 AM

A Local Assistance Center will be opening for those affected by the Borel Fire from Saturday, August 10, through Tuesday, August 13, from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, CA 93240. If you need assistance, please call 661-873-2660.

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

Current Situation:  The Borel Fire remains at 59,288 acres with 84% containment. The decrease in acreage was determined after an AR flight over the fire. An “AR flight” in the context of wildfire refers to aerial reconnaissance which is equipped with infrared cameras. The AR flight was able to provide accurate information on the size and shape of the fire, in addition it can detect hotspots and provide data on the fire’s intensity. On the northern side of the fire from Highway 178 to Kern River Canyon Road, crews worked on suppression repair. Some smoke was visible within the fire’s interior in the area. On the northeast/eastern sides of the fire, crews were able to hold the line, work on suppression repair and backhaul excess equipment and trash. On the southern side of the fire, suppression is still taking place on open line and suppression repair work along with backhauling unnecessary equipment and trash.

Borel Fire:  Today, firefighters will continue to hold the line where fire is still active and work towards gaining more containment. Crews on all sides of the fire will work on suppression repair, backhaul excess resources from all sides of the fire and collect trash. Critical infrastructure needs in the affected communities continue to be assessed and repaired to ensure the area is safe from not only fire damage, but all other hazards. A cooling trend begins today with temperatures a few degrees cooler than yesterday in the upper 90’s and low 100’s in the lower elevations around the fire and upper 80’s to low 90’s in the higher elevations. Winds will continue out of the west/northwest at 8-14 mph with winds in the late afternoon into the evening up to 26-28mph. Winds should calm around 9pm tonight.

August 5, 2024 at 2:04 PM

Be advised, the Borel Fire is not fully contained, only the zones listed below will be 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. 

Genasys Zones KRN-403-A and KRN403-B have been split North, South and West. 

KRN-403-A is now located southwest of the fire perimeter line. KRN-403-B now runs along the northern perimeter of the fire line, near the Kern River. 403-A and 403-B have now been placed under a ‘lifted’ status, no further advisories in place for these zones. This includes Kern Canyon Road which is now no longer under the evacuation order. 

KRN-403-C consists of the burned area and remains under an evacuation order.

August 5, 2024 at 9:30 AM

The Borel Fire remains at 59,340 acres and is 68% contained. There was minimal fire activity overnight and containment lines were held. As the warming trend continues, we will continue to see hotter and dryer conditions. This will likely cause flare ups in the areas within the fire perimeter where fuels have been smoldering. Wind will be out of the west/northwest at 8-12mph and will peak at 20-22mph at the hottest part of the day. Operational videos posted to the Sequoia National Facebook page will be reduced to one daily update beginning today.

Borel Fire:  The northern portion of the fire was not active overnight, however crews will continue to monitor and patrol the area. There is an area of line in the Sunrise Highway/02 Road area that needs to be stitched together near Bald Peak on the northeastern portion of the fire. Crews will work to hem this into the fire perimeter and will address interior fuels. Firefighters will continue to work towards gaining more containment in the area over the next several days. On the eastern side of the fire, crews will be improving handline in the south fork of Erskine Creek. On the southern edge of the fire, crews will monitor, patrol, mop up as necessary and work towards suppression repair which could begin as early as today. Contingency operations continue Erskine Creek at Gold Standard Mine Road on the eastern edge of the fire. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities.

Trout Fire: 23,559 acres | 49% contained

Trout Fire: Crews will continue to hold and mop-up Sherman Pass Rd from Bald Mountain to indirect line and improve former line to Sirretta Pass. Chipping operations progress in the Cherry Hill area. Personnel will be utilized to improve the trail from the termination of Mosquito Meadow Rd to Big Meadow and the adjacent ridge to the west, enhancing protection to the community of Horse Meadow. Interior pockets have consumed to the point that the risk of short-range spotting is decreasing under current weather conditions. Continued warming and drying may promote further spread in unlined areas.

Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 95 % contained

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 95 percent. A patrol status is being maintained to periodically reassess for any changes. Crews will begin suppression repair assessment in affected areas. Grading operations will commence.

August 4, 2024 at 9:44 AM

Trout Fire: 23,559 acres | 49% contained
Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 95 % contained

Trout Fire: Crews will continue line construction efforts during daytime operations to minimize the risk of unexpected fire growth beyond existing containment lines. Personnel will focus on improving existing containment lines on the west flank while constructing direct and indirect lines within the Domeland Wilderness on the southeast flank using MIST (Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics). Chipping operations will continue along Sherman Pass and Mosquito Point Rd. Crews will be utilized to improve the trail from the termination of Mosquito Meadow Rd to Big Meadow and the adjacent ridge to the west, enhancing protection to the community of Horse Meadow. Today’s drying and warming will dry out fuels. Any interior pockets that are still active will maintain the risk of short-range spotting.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 95 percent. A patrol status is being maintained to periodically reassess for any changes. Crews will begin suppression repair assessment in effected areas.

August 4, 2024 at 8:40 AM

The U.S. Forest Service and California Interagency Incident Management Team 11, in unified command with Kern County Fire Department and Kern County Sheriffs Department, is pleased to announce the reduction of selected evacuation orders previously imposed due to the Borel Fire.

Be advised, the Borel Fire is not fully contained, only the zones listed below will be 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 739:

 Genasys Zone KRN-739 has been split East and West at Caliente Bodfish Road. The eastern portion, now KRN-739-A, will remain in an Evacuation ORDER. The evacuation order for the western portion, now KRN-739-B, has been LIFTED. There are no further advisories for KRN-739-B.

Zone 740:

 Genasys Zone KRN-740 has been split North and South at lower Thompson Canyon Ave. and Indian Oak Road. The northern portion, now KRN-740-B, will remain in an Evacuation ORDER. The evacuation order for the southern portion, now KRN-740-A, has been LIFTED. There are no further advisories for KRN-740-A.

Zone 742 and 743:

 The evacuation orders for Zone KRN-742 and KRN 743 have been lifted. There are no further advisories for these zones.

Zones KRN 100-B, 102-B, 419, and 744:

 Genasys Zones KRN-100-B, 102-B, 419, and 744 have all been restored to a normal status. There are no further advisories in place for these zones.

August 3, 2024 at 12:08 PM

Trout Fire: 23,559 acres | 49% contained
Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 95 % contained

Trout Fire: Fire behavior moderated yesterday due to cloud cover, increased humidity, and some rainfall. Today’s warming, however, will quickly dry out fuels. Interior islands will continue to burn. Spotting to the north over Sherman Pass Road could further increase fire spread. Crews will continue to hold Sherman Pass Road and Bald Mountain Ridge. Cloudy and cooler conditions, combined with possible thunderstorms, will amplify the risk of fire spread. Warm temperatures and moderately gusty south/southeast winds will contribute to these dynamics. The chance of dry lightning and gusty outflow winds remains, increasing the possibility of fire movement primarily in areas with unsecured fire line.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 95 percent. A patrol status is being maintained to periodically reassess for any changes.

August 2, 2024 at 10:53 AM

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.

August 1, 2024 at 2:13 PM

The U.S. Forest Service and California Interagency Incident Management Team 11, in unified command with Kern County Fire Department and Kern County Sheriffs Department, is pleased to announce the reduction of selected evacuation orders previously imposed due to the Borel Fire.

Be advised, the Borel Fire is not fully contained, only the zones listed below will be 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.

August 1, 2024 at 9:54 AM

• Trout Fire: 23,369 acres | 49% contained
• Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 95% contained
• Borel Fire:  59, 225 acres | 41% contained

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.

July 31, 2024 at 12:32 PM

• Trout Fire: 23,369 acres | 49% contained
• Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 95% contained
• Borel Fire:  58, 682 acres | 34% contained

The Borel Fire has burned over 58,000 acres. Inspections of all damaged or destroyed structures is being conducted, 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 a change in fuel complexion as vegetation goes from dry grass to green brush as well as mountains, rocky terrain to the east. The southern edge of the fire is north of Walker Basin, where crews constructed handline 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, holding the fire south of Sandy Dip. Crews are constructing dozer line east of Caliente-Bodish Road. On the eastern section of the fire, aerial resources, including helicopters and air tankers, are supporting ground crews in slowing the fires progression near Brown Meadow. Firefighters are focusing on protecting structures and establishing containment lines around the most active fire fronts. Today, fire behavior is expected to be moderate with higher humidity and wind gust up to 28 mph on the peaks.

Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal on Tuesday 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.

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

Weather & Air Quality: Cooler, humid conditions are expected today with wind gusts up to 28 mph. Westerly winds will remain elevated on ridgetops throughout Wednesday night. A daily smoke outlook is produced for communities affected by wildfire smoke: tinyurl.com/452x2uzr.

July 29, 2024 at 10:10 AM

Trout Fire: 23,369 acres | 33% contained
Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 95% contained
Borel Fire: 53,010 acres | 0% contained

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 it’s 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.

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.

July 29, 2024 at 8:50 AM

The plan is for resources to continue with direct line construction supported by aircraft where feasible and look for control features where direct line is not possible. Utilizing Kern Canyon road and the Kern River and other features to hold fire South and east of the 178. Use dozers to prep around communities and build indirect line. Assessing and prepping structures ahead of the fire spread. Identify areas for indirect line or proposed secondary strategic lines. Coordinate evacuation efforts with local law enforcement and cooperators. DINS teams will be conducting assessment of the Havilah area as well as scattered sites impacted by the fire. 

Expect extreme fire behavior with torching, wind driven runs and long-range spotting in grass, brush and timber. Fire may exhibit very high rates of spread, high intensity and difficulty of control. The fire is burning aggressively through the steep rugged terrain of the Piute Mountains. Spotting has been observed beyond 1/2 mile with sustained runs through the mixed conifers supported by a continues crop of fully cured annual grasses. 

July 29, 2024 at 8:05 AM

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 Administrator authorized the use of federal funds on July 27 at 12:07 a.m. PDT / 3:07 a.m. EDT to assist the state of California in combating the Borel Fire burning in Kern County.

On July 27, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 4,000 homes in multiple communities throughout Kern County, with a combined population of around 1,560. All the threatened homes are primary residences.

July 28, 2024 at 9:50 AM

• Trout Fire: 23,369 acres | 25% contained
• Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 35% contained
• Borel Fire:  38,446 acres | 0% contained

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.

July 28, 2024 at 6:40 AM

The Regional Administrator for FEMA Region IX approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Borel Fire. The fire is burning on private/federal land near Bodfish, CA (pop. 1,900).

July 27, 2024 at 10:18 AM

• Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 35% containment 
• Trout Fire: 22,660 acres | 25% containment
• Borel Fire: 31,980 acres | 0% containment

Under red flag weather conditions, the Borel Fire has now burned more than 31,000 acres in less than three days. Hundreds of firefighters are fighting the fire and law enforcement officers are conducting evacuations. Our priority remains the lives and property of all affected. Evacuation warnings and orders don’t just increase the safety of residents, they allow emergency personnel to focus their efforts on stopping the fire. Know the status of your zone by viewing genasys Protect’s interactive map (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9). On Saturday morning, management of the fire changed to unified command between California Interagency Incident Management Team (CIIMT) 14 and Kern County Fire Department. Another federal incident management team—CIIMT 11—is gathering information from and transitioning with CIIMT 14 on Saturday and will be joining unified command of the fire Sunday morning.

Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal on Friday despite persistent warm, dry, and windy conditions, allowing crews to make significant progress in suppressing hotspots along the fire’s edge. On the southern perimeter, crews that are staying near the fireline overnight in the Domeland Wilderness are extinguishing lingering areas of heat and constructing fireline with hand tools from Sirretta Pass toward Smith Meadow. An infrared flight detected mostly areas of scattered head with pockets of intense heat limited to the fire’s southwestern and northwestern sides.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains moderate, 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. Today, members of the California National Guard arrived to support ongoing efforts with the Long Fire. 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 grown at a pace similar to what one would expect during a severe Santa Anna wind event. After spreading more than five miles Thursday night, it advanced another six miles on Friday. With firefighters deployed around homes and dozers working to construct control lines, the fire swept through the community of Havilah and Piute Meadow Ranches. The northernmost edge of fire remains south of the Cleer Creek subdivision. The fire is spreading southward toward Walker Basin and southeastward toward Thompson Canyon. 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. Saturday 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 Saturday night. A daily smoke outlook is produced for communities affected by wildfire smoke: tinyurl.com/452x2uzr.

July 26, 2024 at 9:59 AM

Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 30% containment 

Trout Fire: 22,231 acres | 20% containment

Borel Fire: 3,092 acres | 0% containment

Over the last week tremendous progress has been made on the Trout Fire and Long Fire. Containment continues to increase, and the work of building control lines remains a priority. The appropriate resources remain assigned to each fire to ensure containment continues to increase. On the Borel Fire today, a wave of resources are being sent into communities to provide structure protection. Additionally, firefighters will continue with their assignment to create a control line from Hwy 178 along the fire’s southern edge toward Breckenridge Meadows and Havilah. Evacuation warnings and orders have been issued for multiple zones (see below). Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in.

Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal Thursday despite warm, dry, windy conditions, allowing crews to make significant progress suppressing hotspots directly on the fire’s edge. On the western perimeter, dozer operators have nearly completed fireline construction to Big Meadow. On the southern perimeter, crews camping in the Domeland Wilderness are extinguishing lingering areas of heat and constructing handlines from Sirretta Pass toward Smith Meadow.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains moderate, primarily creeping and smoldering. Some unburned pockets of vegetation on the fire’s interior may continue to produce smoke. However, crews report there are no areas of heat posing a threat to their existing containment lines. Firefighters are constructing handlines from the head of the fire near the Pacific Crest Trail, moving southwest toward Palome Creek.

Borel Fire: Wednesday afternoon, the Borel Fire started burning along State Route 178 near Democrat Springs. Yesterday, under red flag weather conditions the fire exhibited extreme fire behavior and grew to more than 3,000 acres. Since its start, firefighters have successfully kept the fire south of SR 178. The Democrat Fire Station was threatened yesterday, but crews made a stand and defended it. Today, operations will focus on protecting Breckenridge Meadows, Piute Meadows Ranches, and Havilah, while maintaining the strong control line of SR 178. A vast army of resources will be attacking the fire from the air and ground, including resources from the Kern County Fire Department to benefit from their local knowledge of the areas affected.

Weather & Air Quality: The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning through Saturday, July 27 at 11 p.m. for low relative humidity and elevated winds. Fire behavior on new and existing fires could be extreme. Hot, dry conditions are expected today with wind gusts up to 35 mph possible. Westerly winds will remain elevated on ridgetops throughout Friday night. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires: 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. Fire restrictions are also in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. Both orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: 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, CA 93561. Animal services will assist with sheltering animals at the center.

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/.

Evacuations: 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-737, KRN-738. The following zones are under an evacuation warning: KRN-740, KRN-741, KRN-742, KRN-736, KRN403-B. Tulare County evacuation warnings are in effect for zones TLC-E274-B and TLC-E261-B. Tulare County evacuation advisories are in effect or zones TLC-E297-A, TLC-E250, TLC-E274-A, and TLC-E261-A. Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in.

July 24, 2024 at 9:50 AM

Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 20% containment 
Trout Fire: 22,105 acres | 7% containment

No matter their specific assignment for the day, all firefighters will also be watching for any new fires that may have started from lightning strikes around the Trout Fire and Long Fire yesterday. A dedicated group of resources is available for immediate response if new fires are identified. Yesterday, a lightning-caused fire near Kennedy Meadows was quickly contained by nightfall. Thunderstorms brought up to an inch of rain to the west side of the Trout Fire, with some areas receiving half-inch hail. A remote water dip site has been established in Big Meadow to reduce turnaround time for helicopters conducting water drops. More thunderstorms, though possibly less intense, are predicted this afternoon.

Trout Fire: Tuesday, crews successfully strengthened and held the containment line at Sherman Pass Rd. despite extreme weather conditions. Winds gusted over 30 mph at Bear Peak. More than one hundred lightning strikes were recorded, each one more than 50,000 degrees and easily capable of igniting new fires. Today, the priority will be to use dozers, hotshot crews, and resource advisors to clear old roads and fuel breaks that will serve as a control line from Sherman Pass Rd. south along Mosquito Meadow Rd. to Big Meadow. Additionally, reconnaissance will be conducted between Forest Road 22S77 and Lunch Meadow, where fire behavior has diminished, to insert hotshot crews for fireline construction.

Long Fire: The southwest corner around the South Fork of the Kern River has been challenging to control, but after several days of focused work by hotshot crews, this portion of the fire is now considered contained. As a result of recent severe weather and flash flooding in an older fire footprint, crews have been moved to different areas of the fire. Heavy-equipment operators reopened roads made impassable by a debris flow caused by the combination of bare soils and heavy rain. Today, firefighters will continue constructing handline from the head of the fire near the Pacific Crest Trail southwestward toward Palome Creek. Engine crews will also be working along control lines to extinguish any smoldering fires that could lead to the fire escaping its perimeter.

Weather & Air Quality: Thunderstorms are in the forecast again today, but for a shorter duration and reduced intensity. The most probable areas to see rainfall will be the northern portions of the Trout Fire and Long Fire. Along the southern perimeter of each fire, strong outflow winds are expected. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

July 23, 2024 at 9:10 AM

Long Fire: 8,908 acres | 20% containment
Trout Fire: 19,259 acres | 5% containment

On Monday, severe weather affected both the Long Fire and the Trout Fire. Thunderstorms brought rain to the northern sections of both fires and strong winds and lightning to the southern portions. Flash flooding damaged Chimney Basin Rd. on the Long Fire, and there was intense behavior near Machine Creek on the Trout Fire. Despite these challenges, crews achieved 20 percent containment of the Long Fire and 5 percent of the Trout Fire. Crews also completed a crucial handline near Palome Creek and strengthened a control line now reclassified as contained. Today, crews will continue to strengthen control lines, repair roads, and build new firelines. Air support available but weather dependent.

Trout Fire: Thunderstorm significantly affected the Trout Fire Monday afternoon. Strong outflow winds swept westward, fanning flames and producing a large smoke column in Machine Creek and Sirretta Meadows on the fire’s southwest side. Fire behavior was intense, spreading rapidly, and spot fires ignited up to three quarters of a mile away. However, on Sherman Pass Rd., crews successfully completed firing operations on the last half-mile section between the road and the approaching fire. Today, firefighters will work along the eastern edge of the fire, building control lines from Sherman Pass Rd. toward Lunch Meadow. Near Deadwood Meadows and Sirretta Pass, helicopter landing spots will be completed and supply shuttling for firefighting will begin. On the west side, heavy equipment will continue reopening dozer lines from Sherman Pass Rd. southward along Mosquito Meadow Rd.

Long Fire: Thunderstorms also brought rain to the north and strong winds to the south of the Long Fire. Crews completed handline near Palome Creek and strengthened control lines across the southern perimeter. They are confident in the fireline’s ability to prevent fire spread in that area and changed the classification to containment line. However, rain caused flash flooding and debris flows, damaging Chimney Basin Rd., forcing firefighters to take shelter. Today, hotshot crews will continue building control lines, particularly on the northwest side of the fire. Engine crews are working along roads on the eastern side, deploying hose lines and extinguishing hot spots. Heavy-equipment operators will repair roads to ensure roads are safe for fire operations.

Weather & Air Quality: Repeated thunderstorms are forecasted for today starting at noon. The most probable areas to see rainfall will be the northern portions of the Trout Fire and Long Fire. Along the southern perimeter of each fire, strong outflow winds are expected. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

July 22, 2024 at 9:09 AM

• Long Fire: 8,908 acres – 0% containment 
• Trout Fire: 15,702 acres – 1% containment

For over a week, firefighters on the Trout Fire and Long Fire have been using a variety of fire suppression techniques to lessen fire intensity, build control lines, and achieve complete containment. To accomplish this, crews are constructing control lines with hand tools and heavy equipment, extinguishing burning vegetation that could spread fire beyond the current perimeter; and sometimes conducting low-intensity firing operations to halt the main fire’s spread and intensity. Each tactic is strategically implemented to meet the unique challenges of different topography and vegetation. As a result of dedicated efforts, control lines on each fire are now being strengthened and are a step closer to being reclassified as containment line.

Trout Fire: On the Trout Fire, firefighters spent Sunday night conducting strategic burns from Sherman Pass R. along Boone Meadow Rd. and 21 Rd. This was supported by a UAS (unmanned aerial system). During favorable nighttime weather conditions, the area between the fire’s perimeter and roadway were burned with deliberation and low intensity. Today, firefighters will continue to work off Sherman Pass Rd. to connect sections of control line that are approximately a half mile apart. Hotshots will be added to the east side of the fire to build handline while other crews look for natural barriers and favorable locations to build control line from Deadwood Meadow and Sirretta Pass to the fire’s edge.

Long Fire: Fire behavior continues to diminish on the Long Fire as more and more sections of control line are completed. Several days of work are having an effect on keeping the fire from growing and acreage is holding at 8,908. Today, along the southern perimeter, where control line has already been established, crews will strengthen the line and extinguish smoldering vegetation. Between the head of the fire in the northeast and South Fork Kern River at the southwest perimeter, multiple teams of hotshot crews will work toward one another. Working through rocky terrain they will continue line construction and receive aerial support from helicopters dropping water and retardant.

Weather & Air Quality: Showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for today. The most probable areas to see rainfall will be around the Trout Fire. All are watching the sky due to the increased potential for lightning strikes and outflow winds that could quickly create intense fire behavior. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

July 21, 2024 at 8:07 AM

Acres and containment of the four fires being managed by CIIMT14:

Trout Fire (Tulare County): 14,753 ac, 0%
Long Fire (Tulare County): 8,908 ac, 0%
Acorn Fire (Kern County): 5 ac, 100%
Packsaddle Fire (Tulare County): 47 ac, 100%

The Long fire is in an extremely remote, steep, and rugged area with no recorded fire or fuels-treatment history. Expected fire behavior is very high in parts of the perimeter, with potential for large growth under strong afternoon winds. It is burning in steep terrain with no recorded fire or treatment history. The primarily spread direction is northeast toward Kennedy Meadows and it could reach the J41 Rd. north of Chimney Peak today.

The Trout has is very active on all sides and could reach the base of Pine Mountain and the Kern River to the northeast and east today. Fire behavior on the head has moderated slightly due to effective suppression efforts combined with a vegetation type and continuity change in the 2000 Manter fire footprint.

Fire behavior on the Acorn and Packsaddle Fires is minimal.

July 20, 2024 at 10:53 AM

• Acorn Fire: 5 acres – 95% containment  
• Packsaddle Fire: 47 acres – 95% containment  
• Long Fire: 8,856 acres – 0% containment 
• Trout Fire: 12,855 acres – 0% containment

Current Situation: In all areas of both fires, fire managers are strategically directing specific actions and deploying equipment to meet the exact needs of each location. Last night, unmanned aerial systems were used to begin strategically burning portions of the Trout Fire’s northern perimeter to reduce fire intensity as it approaches Sherman Pass Road. Vegetation clearance is being established around structures near each fire, and a mobile retardant base has been established to allow helicopter retardant drops with faster turnaround times. This tailored approach ensures that resources are used effectively and that tactics can be adapted to the dynamic conditions of the fires.

Trout Fire: The Trout Fire experienced increased fire activity in the Machine Creek area Friday afternoon, which produced a large smoke column. However, other areas of the fire weren’t as windy, which allowed firefighters to work directly along the fire’s edge, resulting in minimal growth toward Kennedy Meadows. Today, firefighters continue to clear vegetation along Sherman Pass Rd. as the fire approaches. If necessary, strategic burns off Sherman Pass Rd. may be conducted to create a larger buffer ahead of the fire. Crews will also continue building control lines along the southern perimeter and Machine Creek area.

Long Fire: The Long Fire showed diminished activity throughout most of Friday. This reduction in fire behavior enabled crews to make substantial progress in constructing control lines along the southern area of the fire. Today, firefighters will continue the direct line construction on the southern perimeter near the South Fork of the Kern River and Palome Creek. Along the northern edge retardant line has knocked much of the heat out of the fire ahead of crews building control line. These control lines are crucial in our efforts to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities and natural resources

Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire: The Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire remain in a patrol status. Crews will monitor the fire perimeter ensuring there is no threat of flare-up or escape.

Weather & Air Quality: A persistent weather pattern is forecasted for the next several days. No rainfall is expected. Temperatures will remain elevated above normal and relative humidity will near critically low levels. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

July 19, 2024 at 9:28 AM

Acorn Fire: 5 acres – 95% containment  

Packsaddle Fire: 47 acres – 95% containment  

Long Fire: 8,661 acres – 0% containment 

Trout Fire: 10,489 acres – 0% containment

Thursday, the full suppression efforts continued both on the Trout Fire and Long Fire. Each fire presents its own hazards to the firefighters working in harsh terrain. To ensure fire crews’ safety, four medical teams are deployed to the fireline and a hoist rescue capable aircraft is on standby. Tulare County Sheriff announced an evacuation warning for the area north of the Long Fire and south of Kennedy Meadows. Today, members of fire management will conduct a fire information meeting in the community of Kennedy Meadows.

Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire: The Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire remain in a patrol status. Crews will monitor the fire perimeter ensuring there is no threat of flare-up or escape.

Trout Fire: Thunderstorms brought strong outflow winds and lightning to the Trout Fire but little rain on Thursday. Decisive action by fire crews enabled them to identify a fire started by lightning outside the fire perimeter and quickly contain the new start. Today, the work of building control lines on the southern perimeter near Machine Creek continues. Crews will also focus on strengthening Sherman Pass Road as a control line. They are reestablishing control lines used during the Manter Fire near Kennedy Meadows as a contingency line.

Long Fire: The Long Fire continued burning in light flashy vegetation and experienced rapid rates of fire spread on Thursday. The area continued to experience hot and dry weather unlike the Trout Fire to the north. Today, firefighters will be working to build containment line along the southeast portion on both sides of the South Kern River. Aircraft will drop retardant to slow the fire’s spread to the north while helicopters support the firefighters along the southern portion of fire perimeter with water drops.

Weather & Air Quality: Neither the Trout Fire nor Long Fire are expected to see thunderstorms today. Localized winds will remain in the forecast. On the Long Fire, winds are predicted to align with terrain in the afternoon with gusts up to 20 miles per hour possible. The warming, drying trend, along with critically low relative humidity levels, is forecasted to continue through the weekend. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

July 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Acorn Fire: 5 acres – 95% containment  

Packsaddle Fire: 47 acres – 95% containment  

Long Fire: 4,069 acres – 0% containment 

Trout Fire: 8,721 acres – 0% containment

The Bureau of Land Management is now a cooperating agency with lands under their jurisdiction directly impacted. Another management change is the addition of a second fire camp located at Troy Meadow. This change will accommodate the increased resources fighting the Trout Fire and decrease daily travel times. The Long Fire resources will continue to utilize Camp 9 in the Kern River Valley. Firefighters have made great progress on securing the Acorn and Packsaddle Fires and each will remain in patrol status until full containment has been reached. Much of the resources from these fires are being redirected to the Trout Fire and Long Fire.

Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire: The Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire remain in a patrol status after days of mopping up and securing control lines. Crews will monitor the fire perimeter ensuring there is no threat of flare-up or escape.

Trout Fire: Fire behavior was low to moderate Wednesday and allowed for more direct line construction on the western side, along Boone Meadow Road. This resulted in reduced perimeter growth compared to previous days. Prevailing westerly winds and topography continue the trend of pushing the fire east. As direct line construction continues south along the western side, crews will look for opportunities to build control lines on the southern perimeter near Machine Creek. Crews continue to reinforce Sherman Pass Road, while also looking for opportunities of engagement closer to the fire’s edge. Aircraft are assisting in directing the fire towards the wilderness area where natural barriers can be utilized.

Long Fire: The Long Fire, burning in the Domeland Wilderness south of the Trout Fire, remains a high priority. Elevated temperatures and increased winds have pushed the fire east into the Chimney Peak Wilderness. Multiple hotshot crews have been shuttled via helicopter to the fire area. They are working to anchor the fire and build control lines.

Weather: Thursday will benefit from cloud and smoke shading over the fires due to an inversion layer over the area. This will cause temperatures to remain lower and relative humidity to rise. While the early part of the day will see weather that improves firefighters’ ability to fight fire, the afternoon is expected to make conditions more challenging once the inversion lifts. Thunderstorms are forecasted to flow through the area of the fires, bringing with it gusty and erratic winds. The warming and drying trend with critically low relative humidity is forecasted to return for the weekend.     

July 17, 2024 at 9:27 AM

Hot and dry conditions paired with afternoon winds fueled intense fire behavior and growth on both the Trout and Long Fires on Tuesday. Fuels in the area are critically dry and extremely receptive to burning. Smoke from the 2024 SQF Lightning Incident continues to impact the surrounding communities. Firefighters have made great progress on securing the Acorn and Packsaddle Fires and as these fires are moved into a patrol status, all crews and resources are being directed to the Trout and Long Fires.

Acorn Fire: 5 acres – 80% containment 

Packsaddle Fire: 47 acres – 50% containment 

Long Fire: 888 acres – 0% containment 

Trout Fire: 6,643 acres – 0% containment

Acorn Fire: After working over the past several days to ensure that control lines are mopped up and secure, the Acorn Fire has been placed in a patrol status. This means that a majority of the fire is considered contained and that a local crew will monitor the fire perimeter today to ensure that there is no threat of flare up or escape.

Packsaddle Fire: Activity on the Packsaddle Fire remained minimal on Tuesday with assigned crews actively mopping up hot spots and continuing to strengthen containment lines. The fire is 50% contained and firefighters will work through the day to hold and improve containment lines with the goal of significantly increasing containment by the end of shift.

Trout Fire: The Trout Fire remains active around its entire perimeter and showed significant fire growth yesterday. The fire moved east into Woodpecker Meadow and toward Smith Meadow. Firefighters started constructing control lines Tuesday along the Boone Meadow Road and will continue these efforts today with the priority of anchoring the fire’s western side. Crews have also been scouting and working on the northeast corner of the fire near the Bald Mountain lookout with the intention of holding the fire’s northern flank. Firefighters and crews will also be conducting fuels reduction and preparation work along the Sherman Pass Road throughout the shift in advance of the fire’s potential northern spread.

Long Fire: The Long Fire was added to the 2024 SQF Lightning Incident on July 16, 2024.It is currently burning in the Domeland Wilderness south of the Long Valley Campground and near Palome Creek and South Fork of the Kern River. On Tuesday, when elevated temperatures and increased winds arrived in the afternoon, the fire overcame the eastern retardant lines, spotted, and spread significantly to the east towards the Chimney Peak Wilderness. Several hotshot crews as well as aircraft will be working together to anchor the fire’s western edge, construct control lines along the flanks, and try to stop the fire’s forward progress to the east.

Weather: Warm and dry conditions are forecasted across the fire areas today. Increased southwest winds in the early afternoon will help lift the smoke inversion, but also improve conditions for fire activity. The warming and drying trend with critically low relative humidity is forecasted to continue into this weekend.     

Forest Closures & Restrictions: Lands, roads, trails and recreation sites around the Trout, Long, and Packsaddle Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-11. Fire restrictions are also in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. Both orders, along with accompanying appendices and maps, can be found on the Sequoia National Forest’s Forest Orders web page: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k.

July 16, 2024 at 10:17 AM

Current Situation: California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 assumed command of the 2024 SQF Lightning Incident on July 15, 2024, which includes the Acorn, Packsaddle, and Trout Fires, all burning within the Sequoia National Forest. Full suppression efforts are being implemented for each of these fires. With continued extended hot and dry conditions experienced in much of the western United States, critical resources are drawn down due to multiple large incidents. As resources on the incident complete suppression efforts on the smaller two fires, Acorn and Packsaddle, crews will be redirected to the Trout Fire.

Acorn Fire: Firefighters have worked tirelessly to construct control lines around the entire fire perimeter of the Acorn Fire. Located south of Breckenridge Road near the Breckenridge Campground within Kern County, this fire is being held at approximately 7 acres. Yesterday, crews utilized hoselines and water to mop up and extinguish remaining hot spots. Crews will continue to strengthen and hold these containment lines with the goal of placing the fire into patrol status and redirecting resources to the Trout Fire.

Packsaddle Fire: The Packsaddle Fire remained smoldering and creeping on Monday allowing firefighters to complete control lines around the perimeter as well as around multiple spot fires from the previous day. The fire’s growth had been slowed using aerial retardant that allowed crews to use direct attack methods. The fire remains at approximately 50 acres and is located 4 miles east of the Fairview Campground within Tulare County. Today, crews will ensure that containment lines are holding with no threat of escape and redirect resources to the Trout Fire.

Trout Fire: The Trout Fire is the most active of the three fires and burning in an area of no recent fire history. The fire is approximately 2,095 acres and burning in the Trout Creek and Machine Creek drainages. The topography within the Dome Land Wilderness in Tulare County is steep, rugged, and mountainous. Aircraft continue to support the incident through retardant drops to hold the fire from spreading in key locations. Firefighters and resources are being positioned to stop the fire’s northern and eastern spread.

Weather: A slow downward trend in temperatures and probability of thunderstorms remain forecasted for this week while higher temperatures are expected for the weekend. Fuels remain critically dry, which allows for rapid and intense burning conditions.       

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations in effect for this incident. Please be aware of your surroundings and continue to monitor fire conditions.

Fire Closures: Forest Order No. 0513-24-11 has been issued to provide for public safety due to the Trout Fire.

Fire restrictions are also in effect on the Sequoia NationalForest. See Forest Order No. 0513-24-10 for details (tinyurl.com/4pdjthvu).

Planned actions:

Acorn and Packsaddle Fires:

Crews will reinforce the existing firelines that have been constructed around the fire perimeters. They will also mop up areas of heat along firelines.

Trout Fire:

Continue using aircraft to apply water and retardant to keep the fire’s growth to a minimum. Use aircraft also for detection of new fire ignitions. Reassign limited resources from Acorn and Packsaddle Fires to the Trout Fire.

The Acorn Fire is south of Lake Isabella near Breckenridge Campground in Tulare County.

The Packsaddle Fire is north of Lake Isabella, approximately 4 miles east of Fairview Campground and the Upper Kern River in Kern County.

The Trout Fire is north of Lake Isabella in the Dome Land Wilderness south of Sherman Pass Road and southwest of Bald Mountain, also in Kern County.

July 15, 2024 at 10:35 AM

As of 6 a.m. on July 15, 2024, California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 assumed command of the 2024 SQF Lightning Incident, which includes the Acorn, Packsaddle, and Trout Fires, all burning within the Sequoia National Forest.

Acorn Fire

The Acorn Fire is approximately 7 acres and burning south of Breckenridge Road near the Breckenridge Campground located within Kern County. Firefighters worked yesterday and overnight to construct control lines and install hose around the fire perimeter. Forward progress has been stopped and crews will work diligently today to add containment with the goal of moving the fire into a patrol status without the threat of escape.

Packsaddle Fire

The Packsaddle Fire is approximately 46 acres and burning 4 miles east of the Fairview Campground located within Tulare County. Over the past several days, aircraft has been used to surround the fire with retardant drops to slow fire growth. This air support has slowed the fire enough to give firefighters on the ground the opportunity to build control lines around much of the fire. Today, crews will continue adding control lines around the remainder of the fire perimeter. Helicopters will continue to assist with water dropping missions with the goal of minimizing hot spots and fire growth.

Trout Fire

The Trout Fire is approximately 500 acres and burning in the Trout Creek drainage within the Dome Land Wilderness in Tulare County. It is currently south of Sherman Pass Road and approximately 2 miles southwest of Bald Mountain Lookout. Aircraft have been utilized each day as weather allows to drop retardant in key areas to slow the fire’s spread. Due to the remote location, difficult terrain, and accessibility issues, firefighters will continue to scout the area for opportunities to begin control measures to keep the fire as small as possible. Aircraft will continue to assist with reconnaissance and retardant dropping missions.

Weather: Lingering monsoonal moisture will continue to provide a slight chance of wetting showers and thunderstorms across the fire areas through this evening. A cooling and drying trend is forecasted for mid-week, while hot and dry conditions are expected to rebound toward the start of the weekend. Fuels remain critically dry, which allows for rapid and intense burning conditions.       

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations in effect for this incident. Please be aware of your surroundings and continue to monitor fire conditions.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions are in effect on the Sequoia National Forest. See Forest Order No. 0513-24-10 for details (tinyurl.com/4pdjthvu).