By LAURA AUSTIN News Review Staff Writer– On Sunday evening, a wildfire broke out east of Walker Pass, about four miles west of the intersection of Highway 14 and 178.
The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) was dispatched to contain the blaze. The Bella fire started Sunday evening just before 5:30 PM just east of the Pacific Coast Trail Walker Pass Trailhead on Hwy 178 and west of Hwy 14, near Inyokern.
Kern County Fire crews arrived on the scene to find a 10-acre fire moving with moderate speed being fueled by the wind.
/ Several engines attacked the fire around a home with multiple other structures.
Several engines attacked the fire around a home with various other structures on a property to the east that were directly in the fire’s path, according to KCFD. The firefighters were able to save the property. Within minutes, the fire was 50-plus acres and growing.
Multiple agencies were assigned to the fire, as well as several aircraft support, including a C-130 tanker and a helicopter. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United States Forest Service (USFS), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and multiple hand crews, a total of 59 personnel worked the fire.
Air support discontinued the attack near sundown, and ground crews continued to work through the night. Bella had burned 309 acres and was 20% contained in the early morning hours of Monday, according to Cal Fire’s latest update.
The Bella fire was burning within BLM territory, so on Monday morning, BLM took over Incident Command and released all Kern County Fire resources, which had been moved off the fire Monday morning.
After being active for 39 hours, the fire had burned 500 acres. By Tuesday morning, the fire crew had contained 50% of the fire. No injuries or fatalities were reported. And no properties were reported lost. Investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Borel Fire: Last week’s thunderstorm brought light to moderate rain over the fire, which improved the overnight relative humidity recovery and slightly increased fuel moisture levels. This, in addition to another night of calm winds, reduced fire activity in most areas that night. As of late last week, the eastern and southeastern portions of the fire were still active near Erskine Creek, where access had been difficult due to steep terrain. Contingency lines continue to be constructed by clearing around roadways and constructing a dozer line to protect the community of Clarksville. The fire remains north of Walker Basin as firefighters patrol and improve lines in those areas. To the north, crews are clearing roads and patrolling in the Kern Canyon Road corridor. Patrolling and monitoring activities continue along Caliente-Bodish Road. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities.
According to Kern County Chief Communications Officer Ally Triolo, Kern County will open a Local Assistance Center (LAC) for residents impacted by the Borel Fire. This “one-stop-shop” provides a singular location for survivors of the Borel Fire to access critical State, local, and non-profit resources.
She also suggests that anyone impacted by the Borel Fire in any capacity is encouraged to call 661-873-2660 to speak with a live operator.
Information reported will be used to identify which organizations need to be at the LAC to best serve the community.
The Borel fire damage report was released Tuesday.
Repopulation of the historic town of Havilah area began Tuesday for its displaced residents.
The Kern County Fire Department released a map displaying properties that have been inspected for any damage or that have been destroyed by the Borel Fire. 8,698 structures were not damaged, 16 were damaged, and nearly 200 were destroyed by the fire. There were 70 miscellaneous structures, 63 single-family homes, 55 mobile homes, 34 motor homes, and one commercial building.
Information to assist residents impacted by the fire with their recovery will be available at a Local Assistance Center, which will open on Saturday, August 10, at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella. Hours of Operation are from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Free on-site childcare is available for children aged ten and under, and free remote ASL interpretation will be available as needed.
Almost 100 large fires are raging across the West. The largest, in Northern California, has burned more than 400 houses and other structures, officials reported.
Bella Fire nearing containment.
