Golden State Today

KERN COUNTY – Governor Gavin Newsom visited communities impacted by the Borel Fire in Kern County today, meeting with fire and emergency management officials. He proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern County to support the response to the Borel Fire. This action follows the Governor’s announcement over the weekend that the state has secured federal assistance for the Borel Fire response.

The Borel Fire began burning in the Sequoia National Forest last week and is part of the SQF Lightning Complex, which has burned close to 90,000 acres to date.

Governor Newsom was briefed by federal, state, and local officials at the Borel Fire Incident Command Post in Kernville. He also visited Havilah, a historic mining town that has been severely affected by the fire.

“This devastating fire and the many like it we’re facing across the West are a clear and present danger to our way of life and California as we know it. I’m grateful for our first responders and the strong partnerships on display here and throughout the state in these challenging times. California will continue the urgent work to make our communities more resilient and protect people and the environment from intensifying climate impacts,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Governor also surveyed damage from the Borel Fire and met with first responders in Kern County.

Over the weekend, Governor Newsom visited the Incident Command Post for the Park Fire in Butte County. He announced that FMAGs have been secured to support responses to both the Borel Fire and Park Fire in Tehama County.

Additionally, FMAGs have been secured for responses to fires including Thompson, French, and Hawarden fires. The Governor had previously proclaimed a state of emergency in Plumas County due to the Gold Complex Fire; in Butte and Tehama counties due to Park Fire; and in Butte County for Thompson Fire.

Today's proclamation includes provisions easing access to unemployment benefits for impacted residents and waiving fees for replacing driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates. It also allows hospitals, clinics, and behavioral health facilities affected by fires to continue providing services or care for displaced patients or residents by waiving certain statutes and regulations.

A copy of this proclamation can be found online.

Up-to-date information on current wildfires, including evacuation orders and warnings, is available at fire.ca.gov. Emergency preparedness tips are available at ready.ca.gov.