SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — A wind-driven wildfire burning by Lake Sonoma in Sonoma County spread to 1,200 acres within just 24 hours and destroyed multiple homes. The wildfire, named the Point Fire, was 50 percent contained as of Tuesday morning and evacuation orders remain in place, according to Cal Fire.
Containment rose from 20 percent to 40 percent between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Firefighters are patrolling around homes, wineries, and ranches to provide structure protection. Four-hundred firefighters are battling the blaze, including 10 dozers on the ground and helicopters waging an air attack.
“The fire is under a north-west wind influence, so it’s (active in) the southeastern portion. We are under red flag conditions,” Cal Fire Assistant Chief Mike Wink told KRON4.
The Point Fire ignited at 12:33 p.m. Sunday in the area of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road north of Healdsburg. A huge plume of dark smoke billowed up from burning brush and timber. First responders went door-to-door urging residents to leave evacuation zones.
Firefighters are making fast progress strengthening control lines lines. Cal Fire officials confirmed two homes were destroyed. They have not released a total number of structures destroyed by the Point Fire.
Sonoma County rancher Davey Door evacuated himself and his cattle after he saw spot fires ignite near his cattle pasture. Resident Bengt Akerlind said he evacuated as the wildfire spread toward his home. “It was close. I saw obviously intense smoke,” Akerlind told KRON4. For a few hours he was unsure if his home was still standing.
Local residents were allowed through evacuation checkpoints on Tuesday to quickly retrieve some of their belongings. Evacuation orders, however, remain in effect.
Cal Fire LNU wrote on X, “Thanks to the strong work by firefighters over the last 24 hours and favorable weather conditions, containment on the fire is now up to 40% at 1,207 acres. Crews continue to fortify control lines and will begin heavy mop-up operations inside the perimeter.”
Sonoma County officials declared a local emergency Monday night to request federal and state assistance.
An evacuation center set up at Laguna High School in Forestville shut down at noon Tuesday. People impacted by the Point Fire can call 211 for information and resources.
Evacuation Orders From Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office:
Evacuation order for residents in Zone SON-2E2
- North and East of Chemise Road
- South of Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road
- West of Dry Creek
Evacuation warning for residents in Zone SON-2E3
- North of Mill Creek Road
- South of Chemise Road
- East of Wallace Creek Road
- West of Dry Creek
KRON4 has reporters in Sonoma County near the Point Fire. This breaking news story will be updated.
