Havilah residents struggle with repopulation, fire insurance policies

HAVILAH, Calif. (KGET) — Utility crews are hard at work restoring power to the Havilah homes destroyed by the Borel fire, that continues to burn 3 weeks after a pickup truck crashed near the Democrat Day Use Area killing the driver and causing the fire.

“This little town. A lot of people were struggling on a blue sky day, on the best of days,” said John Miller, with the U.S. Forest Service. “With such a devastating fire they’ve essentially been kicked in the teeth.”

Edison has set up an incident command post near Bodfish Caliente Road, restringing power poles. CalFire is making the roads safe for travel while mitigating the threat of fire.

Havilah residents have faced a tough road, especially those without fire insurance like Jerry Harter.

“I don’t know what words to use, but it’s bad,” said Harter. “It’s sad.”

Help is being passed out in blue bags to each destroyed home in Havilah.

“Packets were placed on every gate in the affected area, outlining what the state insurance board is able to help with and provide,” said Miller.

Insurance rates have skyrocketed throughout the state, pricing out lower income households.

One Kern Valley resident said their fire insurance went from $1200 a month to $4600 per month for less coverage.

“We don’t set those rates,” said insurance expert, Frank Clark. “That’s something that would be Department of Insurance and carrier based. All we do is try to take care of what we can take care of.”

The California Fair Plan created in 1968 provides fire insurance for California homeowners who can’t find insurance.

Since 2019, dwelling policies have increased by 164%. The total number of FAIR plan policies in California has increased 27% since September 2023.

Insurance companies charge rates based on fire risk.

“Everyone needs to understand becoming a firewise community is critical for all of us here in the valley and every individual homeowner needs to do their due diligence and become a part of that entity,” said Clark.

Many insurance agents provide for living expenses during an emergency. One resident said they’re getting $86 a day.

For more information on insurance help you can call 800-927-HELP, or click here .

For more information on what to do when returning home after a wildfire, click here .

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