Some of today's top stories
- Right now -- all eyes are on Walker Basin....and the renowned Rankin Ranch.
The fire is inching closer...and getting ready to move in.
But fire crews are standing by ready to fight...But the Borel Fire already used the community of Havilah to show its ferocity.
The flames moved in to the area like an unwanted guest -- burning almost everything, including nearly every home. This fire broke out Wednesday afternoon after a car crash sparked some brush.
These are the first few images of the fire shortly after igniting.
Since then, it has quickly become one of the largest and most destructive fires in Kern County history.
The firefight has been brutal as crews battle gusty winds, thick dry brush and steep terrain.
Officials say this area hasn't been scorched in decades, allowing this hungry fire to quickly devour everything in its path. the fire is more than 50-thousand acres.
That's about 80 square miles.
It is zero percent contained.
More than 2-thousand people have been told to leave immediately.
Another 3-thousand people have been told to get ready to evacuate. We have 17 News team coverage for you this morning as this fire remains an active threat.
17's Justin White will join us in just a moment to talk about threat Rankin Ranch faces this morning.
Plus -- Rob Hagan checks in with evacuees who are leaving everything behind...while others risk it all and stay.
And Aleeya Fitzgerald joins us to talk more about how residents in Lake Isabella are preparing for the worst...while helping their neighbors impacted by the devastation. - While the Borel Fire destroyed the historic town of Havilah, this morning it potentially threatens to decimate Rankin Ranch.
17's Justin White has more on the fight. - Thousands of people are under evacuation orders as the Borel Fire bares down on the region.
This includes the community of Bodfish.
17's Rob Hagan has more on the residents who refuse to leave. - In the middle of devastation, residents throughout the Kern River Valley were willing to give a helping hand.
17's Aleeya Fitzgerald was here this weekend and saw that for herself.
