Single Publication

Incident Update

Borel Fire/SQF Lightning Fires

Saturday, August 17, 2024 

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Fire Information: 559-481-7849, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.          

Media Line: 559-492-9967, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Email:2024.borel@firenet.gov 

Linktree: linktr.ee/2024sqflightning

Borel Fire: 59,288 Acres | 92% Contained Trout Fire: 23,597 Acres | 70% Contained
Total Personnel: 763 Long Fire: 9,204 | 98% Contained

Borel Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-borel-fire
SQF Lightning: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-maps-gallery/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

Current Situation: Crews in the Borel Fire area and the Trout Fire area are continuing to perform suppression repair across the burned landscape, with the help of resource advisors to identify and protect cultural resources. Between the two fires, crews have constructed a total of 42.8 miles of dozer line and 39.2 miles of hand line so far. Deer hunters: As the season opens, please be aware that your access may be affected in portions of the hunting zones surrounding the Borel and Trout Fires. Please check local Forest and BLM closures (see below for more information). 

Borel Fire: As the hot spots within the fire's perimeter decrease, crews are working to improve the buffer (control lines) between the burned area and the surrounding unburned vegetation. At the same time, they are finishing the suppression repair work and increasing backhaul activity to remove equipment from the area. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to work on their analysis of the area. Smoke in the area may be seen from fires in other parts of California. 

Trout Fire: Crews are making good progress on the construction of control line through rough terrain on the western edge of the fire. Suppression repair and backhaul will continue across the Trout Fire. 

Long Fire: The fire is being monitored and does not pose a threat. 

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.

Long Valley Campground and Long Valley Loop road remain closed. View the emergency closure order here: https://tinyurl.com/5n8rxcxh. 

Road Closures: Sections of the Sherman Pass Rd (22S05) have opened, but it is not fully passable. West side M99 to Sherman Pass (22S05) to Cherry Hill Rd (22S12) has opened to Horse Meadow campground. Big Meadow and beyond is closed. The Sherman Pass Rd continuing East is closed. Coming up on the East side 9mile road (J-41) to Sherman Pass is open to the Blackrock intersection. Areas North to Blackrock trailhead and OHV trails are open, Monache trail is open, and Troy and Fish Creek campgrounds are open. The road continuing West is closed at the intersection. [For the closure map and full closure order, visit: tinyurl.com/stj6k5zt.] Visit the Kern County Public Works Department website for the additional information on county road closures (tinyurl.com/z6crvp6t). 

Evacuations: There are no fire evacuations in place. Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in.