By Joanna PutmanFireRescue1
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Sheriff’s Office released body-camera footage showing the harrowing moments when three deputies and a U.S. Forest Service officer narrowly escaped the flames of a wildfire, Bakersfield Now reported.
The July 26 incident occurred while the deputies and officer were conducting evacuations in Havilah during the Borel Fire, according to the report. As they tried to leave the area, they discovered the fire had spread, blocking the roadway.
Attempts to find alternate routes were unsuccessful, with all paths obstructed by flames. The body camera video captures the deputies’ conversations as they tried to navigate through the fire.
“We are stuck. We can’t get out,” one deputy is heard saying.
The team requested assistance from fire crews while driving towards a clearing to avoid the rapidly spreading fire. However, aerial support could not reach them due to heavy smoke cover.
Additional support was requested from the KCSO Air Support Unit, which prepared for a rescue flight. During the ordeal, the U.S. Forest Service officer provided two Nomex flame-resistant jackets to the deputies.
The footage shows deputies retrieving flares from their vehicle and racing to escape as the flames approached. Despite the challenging conditions, they were aware that Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) units were en route.
A radio call captured a message stating, “The engines are stuck a quarter mile up Carper due to the fire.”
Eventually, the stranded deputies and officer met with fire crews nearby. A deputy was heard saying, “We’re going home. Come on. We’re going to get out of here.”
After nearly 40 minutes of close calls, the group safely escaped the fiery roadblocks, according to the report. The footage ends with the deputies giving a member of the fire crew a hug, expressing relief and gratitude for their rescue.
