BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Fire officials updated residents impacted by Kern’s largest wildfire in history Sunday afternoon at a community meeting in Lake Isabella.
On the afternoon of Aug. 4, some people applauded fire crews efforts to contain the monstrous Borel Fire burning east through the mountains. Others confronted them for not saving their homes.
The Borel Fire left a mark on the Kern County mountains caught in it’s path. A massive burn scar serves as a reminder of the destruction and the impact to those who lost everything.
“I can’t explain. I don’t know what words to use, but it’s bad. It’s sad,” said Jerry Harter, a Havilah resident.
A team of officials held a community meeting at Woodrow Wallace Middle School at 1:30 p.m. Sunday to update the residents on the status of Kern’s biggest wildfire in history. More than 80 residents showed up, including Jerry Harter and his daughter. Harter lost his home in Havilah. He moved there in 1997 and says he couldn’t afford insurance.