Lessons from the Borel Fire: Survivors, First Responders, and the Urgent Need for Prevention

HAVILAH, CALIF. - When flames crested the ridgeline during the Borel Fire, residents across the Kern River Valley braced for the worst—not just from the blaze, but from the sense that they might be left to face it alone.

With insurance policies canceled, emergency aid uncertain, and few guarantees of protection, neighbors like Sterling Rich, Michelle Eastes and Ron Funk leaned on preparation, community, and courage. Now, in the aftermath, they're calling for stronger support systems—alongside deeper personal responsibility.

From community aid and mental health access to stricter vegetation enforcement and fire-smart education, survivors say the lessons of Borel go far beyond fire suppression: they cut to the root of how—and whether—rural California can adapt to a future defined by fire.

Catholic Charities Responds—but Need Outpaces Resources

In the weeks following the fire, Catholic Charities stepped in as one of the only organizations offering direct support to displaced and struggling residents. The nonprofit has helped with groceries, gas cards, and minor home repairs, but staff say their limited funding and rural population size are significant constraints.

"Depending on the need, we're able to assist—whether it's maybe a repair, maybe groceries, maybe gas," said Genesis Gonzalez, LISTOS Program Manager for Disaster Case Management.

But large-scale needs—such as mortgage relief, major repairs, or relocation assistance—are largely out of reach.

"Big repairs go beyond the funding we do have," Gonzalez acknowledged. "A lot of people are relocating, but they don't have the means."

The nonprofit is also trying to connect survivors to mental health resources, though it does not offer counseling in-house. Gonzalez noted that agency coordination in Kern County remains fragmented.

"There are different organizations willing to get together and discuss, but after that, everybody kind of goes their own way," she said. "Right now, I've been working with United Way and with Wendy Ward as well."

"It Was Heartbreaking Watching Neighbors Drive Away"

For Michelle Eastes, a 35-year resident of the Kern River Valley, the Borel Fire triggered old memories—and new fears. Her home burned to the ground in 2001. This time, her greatest concern wasn't the fire itself—it was the lack of insurance coverage.

"What was different about the Borel Fire is that my neighbors and I weren't really worried about the fire as much as we were worried about not having fire insurance," Eastes said. "Myself and all the neighbors around me had been dropped by their insurance company for fire protection. It was heartbreaking watching each neighbor drive away looking at their homes as if it may be the last time they see it."

As the fire approached, Eastes and a friend stayed behind to hose down rooftops and watch for embers. She remembers the Kern County Sheriff's Office driving through the area on loudspeakers, urging residents to evacuate.

According to Kern County Fire Department Captain Andrew Freeborn, firefighters and deputies were present and actively working across the valley, including in remote terrain like Havilah and Democrat Hot Springs.

"It was pretty stellar to watch the resources that went into play to protect the communities," Freeborn said. Now is the time to leave, don't wait until you see flames.'"

Freeborn emphasized that first responders went to great lengths to reach vulnerable areas and conduct life-saving operations under steep and hazardous conditions.

Eastes, meanwhile, is advocating for more on-the-ground tools for early responders and residents—suggesting that patrol cars carry fire extinguishers for immediate distribution, and that extinguishers be installed at strategic roadside locations, much like call boxes.

"I know people will steal them, but I know people will also replace them," she said. "Sometimes the smallest efforts make the biggest difference."

A System Struggling to Prevent What It Can't Afford to Fight

For many survivors, the real failure is not how the fire was fought—it's how little was done to prevent it.

"California spends millions fighting these monster fires and never seems to learn anything," said Ron Funk, a longtime resident and Borel Fire survivor. "I have lots on either side of me that are terribly overgrown—dead weeds, dead trees—and no one does anything about it."

State law requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures, but enforcement in rural Kern County is inconsistent. Absentee owners, untraceable heirs, and unclear agency boundaries often leave parcels overgrown and dangerous.

For Sterling Rich, a resident of Havilah, survival wasn't about luck. It was about relentless personal effort.

"We worked our asses off to strip the land. It looks like a park in some sections—canopy above 10 feet. Fire line on fire line on fire line. That's what saved us."

"We spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours—diesel fuel, chainsaws, tractors—just to keep this property from going up."

"Post-fire, we're still cutting slash. Still preparing like another fire's coming. Because it could."

His takeaway? You're on your own unless you've already done the work.

"The best thing about a fire is it takes the fuel away. The worst thing is it proves it can come from any angle. If you're not prepared before the fire comes, you're done."

Rebel's Disappearance: A Survivor's Ongoing Heartache

In the aftermath of the devastating Borel Fire in 2024, Heather Barden found herself not only grappling with the loss of her home but also the disappearance of her beloved horse, Rebel. Fleeing the flames, Heather entrusted Rebel to a local sanctuary, hoping the horse would be safe while she worked to rebuild her life.

However, the sanctuary that was supposed to offer refuge for Rebel became the setting for a heartbreaking mystery. After Heather had to leave town to recoup from the losses caused by the fire and begin working toward a fresh start, she learned that Rebel had gone missing. Despite her best efforts to track him down, two long months passed with no sign of her horse.

"I just want my horse back. It is like a member of the family is missing", stated Barden.

As of June 22, 2025, Rebel's whereabouts remain unknown, and Heather's heartache continues as she holds on to the hope of being reunited with her horse.

Amid this distressing situation, equine charities have stepped in to help displaced horses and provide support to survivors like Heather. However, the case of Rebel's disappearance remains a haunting reminder of the difficulties faced by fire survivors in the Kern River Valley, as well as the potential for further heartbreak when trusted refuges fail.

Prevention Starts at the Property Line

According to Captain Freeborn, education and proactive prevention are critical in fire-prone communities like the Kern River Valley—especially as more residents move into the wildland-urban interface.

"People move up here to experience nature and plant trees and shrubs all around the home," Freeborn said. "Years later, the trees are overgrown, pine needles are packed on the roof, and there's a buildup of dead vegetation. That becomes serious fuel."

He's pushing for a greater focus on "Zone Zero"—the five-foot buffer around a home where ignition risk is highest.

"Even with defensible space and home hardening, that might not be enough," Freeborn said. "People need to listen to expert advice and recognize that preparing for fire is an ongoing responsibility. The more fire-smart our communities become, the more lives and homes we'll be able to save."

How to Help

To support fire recovery efforts or refer someone for assistance, contact Catholic Charities at (661) 281-2130. Donations, volunteers, and supplies are welcome. The organization encourages residents to schedule an appointment to learn more about services.

Zone Zero Landscaping Tips

Your home's first line of defense during wildfire season starts within just five feet of your foundation. Experts call this area "Zone Zero," and what you place—or don't place—there can determine whether your home ignites during an ember storm.

To protect your home, avoid flammable ground cover such as bark mulch or dry grass. Instead, use non-combustible materials like gravel, stone, or concrete pavers. Don't plant shrubs, ornamental grasses, or flowers directly against the siding of your house, and be sure to trim back any trees so that branches do not overhang your roofline or touch exterior walls.

Keeping your roof and gutters clean is essential. Fallen pine needles, leaves, and twigs can ignite from a single ember. Use ember-resistant vents and fire-rated roofing materials when possible and inspect your property often—especially during fire season. Also, be sure to store firewood, propane tanks, and fuel cans at least 30 feet from the home.

Making these small adjustments to your immediate surroundings dramatically increases your home's chances of survival during wildfire events.

Why Fire Insurance Is Disappearing

The Borel Fire underscored a worsening trend across California: the disappearance of fire insurance in high-risk zones like the Kern River Valley.

Over the past five years, several major insurance companies—including State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers—have stopped issuing new homeowners' policies in wildfire-prone areas. The reasons are complex: record-breaking fire losses, rising global reinsurance costs, and strict state rate regulations have made it difficult for insurers to stay profitable in risky zones.

This shift has left many residents facing policy cancellations, non-renewals, or premium increases they can't afford. For some, the only remaining option is the California FAIR Plan, a last-resort fire insurance program that covers wildfire damage but no other essential protections like theft, liability, or water damage—unless expensive supplemental policies are added.

State lawmakers and the California Department of Insurance are currently weighing reforms that would allow insurance companies to use forward-looking climate risk models when setting premiums. There's also momentum to expand the FAIR Plan's coverage, so it better protects homeowners in areas where no private options exist.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to maintain defensible space, take proactive home-hardening steps, and review their policies annually. Working with independent insurance brokers who specialize in wildfire zones can sometimes yield better options, but the market remains limited.