Borel Fire: How it started, and how it progressed

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A scene of rigorous flames and smoke — the Borel Fire — continues to ravage the Kern River Valley.

It started Wednesday afternoon around 1 p.m. when, according to the Kern County Fire Department, a car careened over the side of the canyon, killing the driver and catching fire.

The fire on Highway 178 near Borel Road began to rapidly spread, and as a result, Highway 178 was closed.

By Wednesday night, the Borel Fire had scorched more than 1,600 acres.

Thursday around noon, the first evacuation warning was issued. A few hours later, that warning was upgraded to an order. And by Thursday night, more than 3,100 acres of brush had burned.

However, that number exploded before Friday morning, with the fire doubling in size to more than 7,000 acres.

But the blaze nearly doubled in size again with the help of strong winds, burning about 13,000 acres by Friday evening.

Then, Friday night, the fire exploded once more, burning close to 32,000 acres.

On Saturday afternoon, the Borel Fire burned almost 33,000 acres. Evacuation orders were issued for nearly the entire town of Bodfish and areas near Thompson Canyon, Bodfish Canyon, Walker Basin, Shadow Mountain and Rankin Ranch. Areas in the Kern River Canyon, including Lake Isabella, were placed under an evacuation warning.

You can keep up to date with the Borel Fire and any evacuation orders by clicking here.

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