Havilah, United States - July 26, 2024

On Friday, July 26, 2024, three Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a U.S. Forest Service officer found themselves in a perilous situation while conducting evacuations amidst the Borel Fire in Havilah, CA. As they worked to clear residents from the path of the advancing flames, they encountered a critical obstacle: the fire had engulfed the roadway, blocking all escape routes.

At approximately 4:35 p.m., with all paths obstructed by fire, the team was forced to seek an alternative route to safety. However, even as they navigated towards a clearing, thick smoke prevented aerial fire support from reaching them, compounding the urgency of their situation.

Facing imminent danger, the deputies and officer made a critical call for assistance, prompting Kern County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Units into action. Responding swiftly, these units prepared for a rescue flight from a nearby hangar, while fire crews attempted to reach the stranded team from a nearby road.

In a brave and resourceful move, the U.S. Forest Service officer, equipped with two Nomex flame-resistant jackets, selflessly distributed both to the deputies amid the escalating crisis. Ultimately, after a tense 40 minutes and multiple close calls, the deputies and officer managed to rendezvous with fire crews and safely navigate past the fiery roadblocks.