The Borel Fire in the Kern River Valley was burning unchecked Monday morning, scorching over 50,000 acres since the weekend and destroying nearly every building in historic Havilah. Kern County Fire Chief Deputy Dionisio Mitchell says crews are fighting in their own backyard.

Mitchell says residents should take precautions now to avoid a rush if evacuations are ordered, and non-residents need to stay out of the area.

New evacuations have just been ordered for Bodfish, Havilah, Caliente and Walker Basin.