Sonoma County officials warn of dangerous wildfire season outlook
(KRON) — Sonoma County officials are urging residents to prepare for a high-risk wildfire season. As temperatures rise through the summer and fall, high fuel loads and unfavorable windy weather conditions could combine to create a large wildfire.
County officials wrote, 'Sonoma County is expected to experience warmer and drier-than-normal conditions from June through August, with only limited relief from the coastal marine layer.'
Officials said extended periods of dry and high winds will lead to flash drought conditions. Flash droughts, characterized by prolonged periods of high temperatures and strong winds, cause rapid evaporation and drying vegetation.
'We're entering this fire season with conditions that demand heightened vigilance,' said Lynda Hopkins of the county Board of Supervisors.
Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls with the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said, 'The reports clearly show we need to be vigilant and prepared for an increased threat of large wildfires.'
The 2017 Tubbs Fire ravaged Napa and Sonoma counties, destroying more than 5,500 homes and killing 22 people. On October 8, 2017, tens of thousands of people woke up to the sounds of sirens and crackling flames. It was a dark, uncomfortably warm night, met with ferocious winds. People were forced to abandon their homes within minutes. It took four months for firefighters to contain the blaze that blistered 36,000 acres.
The National Weather Service created a new warning level in 2025, known as 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' (PDS), to indicate an unusually high risk of severe weather in association with extreme Red Flag Warnings. A PDS warning is used to highlight specific areas most vulnerable during a natural weather event.
Heading into the second half of 2025, community members are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts, maintain defensible space around their homes, and review evacuation routes. You can sign up for alerts and find fire preparedness resources at SoCoEmergency.org.
'We can't prevent every wildfire, but we as a community can be better prepared to keep ourselves and loved ones safe,' said Jeff DuVall, director of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management. 'We've strengthened our alert systems, updated evacuation maps, and are working hard to ensure the public has timely, accurate information when it matters most.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Surge of salmon-craving anglers expected across CA coast over weekend
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Officials expect a wave of anglers to visit the California coastline over the weekend as the recreational ocean salmon season opens for the first time following a two-year closure. The recreational ocean salmon fishery will be open for two days on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. The daily bag limit is two Chinook salmon per day, with a minimum size of 20 inches in total length, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Due to a low abundance of Chinook, officials are limiting the total recreational harvest in the summer season to 7,000. If the 7,000 Chinook salmon guideline is not met over the June 7-8 weekend, CDFW said another season will open statewide July 5-6, July 31-August 3, and August 25-31, or until the guideline is reached. 'Given the 2-year ocean salmon fishery closure and the short duration of this fishing period, angler participation is expected to be high,' CDFW said. 'Anglers should prepare for crowds and long wait times at public launch ramps and marinas and consider travel, parking, and launch ramp conditions when finalizing plans.' California State Parks doesn't want you collecting sea glass or agates at the beach CDFW field staff will be positioned at dock sites to collect catch and effort information, the department said. The U.S. Coast Guard is encouraging safety on the water and said that due to the anticipated surge of boaters and potential requests for assistance, responses to boating accidents may be delayed. 'All boaters should monitor weather reports and forecasts, heed watches, warnings, or conditions that exceed capabilities of their vessel,' USCG said. 'Additionally, boaters should ensure proper operation of all vessel systems prior to getting underway and ensure carriage of all required equipment and safety gear in accordance with 33 and 46 Code of Federal Regulations.' The Coast Guard said boaters should carry a VHF marine radio for communication. Additionally, all boaters are encouraged to always wear a life jacket and dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Sonoma County Regional Parks said that boat launches in the area will be busy and parking lots can fill up by 10 a.m. Boaters should have an alternate destination planned in case a parking lot is at capacity, park officials said. Ocean salmon fishing regulations can be found on the CDFW website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sonoma County officials warn of dangerous wildfire season outlook
(KRON) — Sonoma County officials are urging residents to prepare for a high-risk wildfire season. As temperatures rise through the summer and fall, high fuel loads and unfavorable windy weather conditions could combine to create a large wildfire. County officials wrote, 'Sonoma County is expected to experience warmer and drier-than-normal conditions from June through August, with only limited relief from the coastal marine layer.' Officials said extended periods of dry and high winds will lead to flash drought conditions. Flash droughts, characterized by prolonged periods of high temperatures and strong winds, cause rapid evaporation and drying vegetation. 'We're entering this fire season with conditions that demand heightened vigilance,' said Lynda Hopkins of the county Board of Supervisors. Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls with the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said, 'The reports clearly show we need to be vigilant and prepared for an increased threat of large wildfires.' The 2017 Tubbs Fire ravaged Napa and Sonoma counties, destroying more than 5,500 homes and killing 22 people. On October 8, 2017, tens of thousands of people woke up to the sounds of sirens and crackling flames. It was a dark, uncomfortably warm night, met with ferocious winds. People were forced to abandon their homes within minutes. It took four months for firefighters to contain the blaze that blistered 36,000 acres. The National Weather Service created a new warning level in 2025, known as 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' (PDS), to indicate an unusually high risk of severe weather in association with extreme Red Flag Warnings. A PDS warning is used to highlight specific areas most vulnerable during a natural weather event. Heading into the second half of 2025, community members are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts, maintain defensible space around their homes, and review evacuation routes. You can sign up for alerts and find fire preparedness resources at 'We can't prevent every wildfire, but we as a community can be better prepared to keep ourselves and loved ones safe,' said Jeff DuVall, director of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management. 'We've strengthened our alert systems, updated evacuation maps, and are working hard to ensure the public has timely, accurate information when it matters most.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Fire breaks out in Fairfield residential neighborhood
FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KRON) — Crews are responding to a fire at a Fairfield residential neighborhood on Monday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. The fire broke out in the area of Vista Grande and Capitola Way. As of 5 p.m., the fire is listed at 50 acres, according to Cal Fire. It is called the 'Vista Grande Fire' on Cal Fire's website. Evacuations have been recommended in the areas of Longview Drive, Skyview Circle and Shelter Hill Drive. Four engines, one battalion chief, two handcrews, two dozers, one helicopter, one airtanker and one air tactical aircraft are at the scene in response. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. According to Cal Fire, the fire started at 4:04 p.m. Monday. Emergency repair on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge shuts down lanes KRON4 is sending a crew to the scene to gather more information. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
