Local emergency declared in response to fire in Sonoma County

HEALDSBURG, California. – The Point Fire in Sonoma County has burned 1,207 acres, according to Cal Fire. Sonoma County officials declared a local emergency in response to the wildfire that was 20% contained Monday.

Cal Fire says two structures were destroyed and a firefighter who was injured overnight Sunday remains in the hospital for evaluation of a non-life-threatening injury.

Smoke was still visible this morning as the fire was at its second most dangerous threat level.

A Spare the Air Alert is in effect for North Bay and Contra Costa County. Residents are asked to avoid burning wood and, if possible, stay indoors to minimize exposure to smoke.

The emergency response will be voted on by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors within the next seven days to consider ratification of the proclamation. This is a prerequisite for requesting state and federal assistance for response and recovery efforts.

A temporary evacuation point has been established in the south parking lot of Laguna High School (formerly El Molino), at 7050 Covey Road in Forestville.

Dry conditions and warm northerly winds are expected to increase the risk of wildfires in Northern California. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for parts of the North Bay.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the SON-2E2 area in the Dry Creek Valley. The SON-2E3 area, also in Dry Creek Valley, north of Mill Creek Road, south of Chemise Road, east of Wallace Creek Road and west of Dry Creek, is under a warning evacuation, affecting more than 4,000 residents, according to Sonoma County. Sheriff's Office.

The Dry Creek Valley Wine District is a major wine growing region in California. It is 16 miles long and 2 miles wide and its stream is a tributary of the Russian River. It benefits from irrigation fed into the creek by the massive Lake Sonoma Reservoir located nearby upstream.

Of the $1.2 billion Sonoma County generates in wine revenue, Dry Creek generates 28 percent, or $340 million.

“Here there are just under 70 wineries and over 150 producers and we have a little over 9,000 acres planted,” said Laura Fremont, executive director of Dry Creek Valley Winemakers. “All of this is essentially confined to the forest. All the vineyards are intact and, as far as we know, the vines are also intact.”

Others worried about evacuations.

“Well, everything I owned is there. So, I'm a little hesitant to leave, but I know I have to. So normally, you know, evacuation is a little difficult. And so now, it's mandatory. So, you know, I grabbed what I could, put it in a truck and I'm trying to get out of here,” said one resident interviewed by KTVU.

Several fire crews were seen entering and exiting Healdsburg, an area largely made up of vineyards. Firefighters from Marin County and the San Francisco Fire Department are also expected to join the event.

The calmer weather allowed firefighters to catch up.

“Just making sure those hot spots are good and out so we don't have any problems with this outbreak,” said Robert Foxworthy, Cal Fire public information officer. “Anytime embers move away from the main fire and have receptive fuel beds to land in, that could pose a problem.”

Fire activity has increased in California in recent days. Cal Fire is currently battling 15 fires across the state, 10 of which started on Sunday.

The Post Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties is the largest of these fires. It burned nearly 15,000 acres. The fire broke out on Saturday evening and quickly grew. It is burning along Interstate 5, about 70 miles north of Los Angeles. Evacuations were ordered in the community of Gorman. The fire is 8% contained.