Operations & Training

Listen to Rescue of Two Kern County, CA, Deputies Trapped by Wildfire

July 28, 2024

Dense smoke from the Borel Fire prevented a helicopter from dropping water near the deputies.

Two Kern County deputies helping to evacuate residents were the ones who frantically called for help as they surrounded by a raging wildfire.

The Borel fire was closing in fast and blocking their escape.

Their suggestion of a helicopter drupping water on them and their escape wasn't an option as a pilot said the smoke was too dense.

Another idea was for them to set a backfire which may change the course and allow them time to leave.

Eventually, firefighters managed to reach the two.

It is not known if they were injured and no detaills of their rescue have been reported. Details of the rescue have not been reported.

"The Borel fire — we haven't had a fire in that exact footprint since the early 90's and so she found that area hasn't burned in a while and when you align the low RH's the high winds you know triple digit weather we've been dealing with the past 10-12 days. It all lined up for a perfect storm there," Kern County Deputy Fire Chief Dionisio Mitchel told 23 abc.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.