This research study qualitatively assesses the types of microorganisms found at the surface and deep level of Mill Creek River and whether they are potentially pathogenic to humans. Mill Creek River is in Breckenridge Mountain via the Mill Creek trail: located 35–40-mile drive from Bakersfield. The water samples consisted of 70 ml water collected from a stagnant area, and 70 ml water taken from active running water area of Mill Creek River in spring and fall of 2024. The first date of collection was 03/03/2024, and the second date of collection was 11/09/2024. A large fire occurred in the area prior to the second collection date of 11/09/2024, which drastically altered the environment. The water samples were cultured on Tryptic Soy Agar plates before Gram stains; oxidase testing and Micro Gen A and B panels were conducted. The Micro Gen tests assist with quickly identifying gram-negative bacteria within the Enterobacteriaceae. The results from the spring pre-fire water samples indicated three pathogenic bacteria Salmonella choleraesuis, Acinetobacter lwoffii, and Moraxella spp. Salmonella causes Salmonellosis, Acinetobacter causing blood, lungs, or urinary tract infections, and Moraxella can cause systemic infections. The main bacterium documented from 7 distinct cultures from the fall post-fire samples was Burkholderia pseudomallei. This is an environmental bacterium known to be a deadly intracellular pathogenic bacteria causing ‘melioidosis’ in humans. Further PCR genetic testing to confirm these results is underway.