In Kern County, Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency, meets with Borel Fire first responders

KERN COUNTY – Visiting communities impacted by the Borel Fire in Kern County, Governor Gavin Newsom today met with fire and emergency management officials and proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern County to support the response to the Borel Fire. Today’s action follows the Governor’s announcement this 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 one of several fires comprising 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 and visited the historic mining town Havilah, which has been ravaged 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.”

Governor Newsom surveys damage from the Borel Fire and meets with first responders in Kern County.

The Governor this weekend visited the Incident Command Post for the Park Fire in Butte County and announced that the state has secured Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to support the response to the Borel Fire and the Park Fire in Tehama County.

The state has also secured FMAGs to support the response to the Park Fire in Butte County and the Thompson, French and Hawarden fires. Governor Newsom previously proclaimed a state of emergency in Plumas County due to the Gold Complex Fire, in Butte and Tehama counties due to the Park Fire, and in Butte County in response to the Thompson Fire.

Among other provisions, today’s proclamation supports impacted residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates. It also allows the waiver of certain statutes and regulations so that hospitals, clinics and behavioral health facilities impacted by the fires can continue to provide services and, if necessary, provide care to patients or residents displaced from other facilities by the fires.