active fire updates

There are no active wildfires currently affecting the Russian River Valley.

Armstrong Woods SNR is currently still closed due to extensive wildfire damage. Please consider helping the Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods by donating to the wildfire recovery fund. They expect to reopen by Memorial Day 2021.

The following updates were from the 2020 Conflagration (formerly called the 2020 August Lightening Siege). The fires that most closely affected the Russian River Valley were known as the LNU Lightning Complex.


9/29/20 8:00pm pst

The Glass Fire has burned 42,560 acres and is 0% contained. Cal Fire is now sending out daily email updates about the Glass Fire – sign up here.


9/28/20 8:00am pst

Continue monitoring the #GlassFire, #ShadyFire, and #BoysenFire closely. They have grown into an intense fire overnight, threatening areas around Calistoga, St Helena, and eastern Santa Rosa.

The Bohemian Fire in Monte Rio was contained at 4am. Originally called Walbridge Fire, the Bohemian Fire was several small spot fires burning together spanning 1 acre.


9/27/20 11:00pm pst

There are multiple fast moving fires approaching eastern Santa Rosa. Start monitoring the #GlassFire, #ShadyFire, and #BoysenFire for rapid evacuations.

Several small spot fires have spawned in Monte Rio associated with the Walbridge Fire.


9/26/20 12:00pm pst

The LNU Lightning Complex is at risk for new spot fires due to red flag warnings.


9/9/20 10:00am PST

The air quality has been dramatically altered due to smoke from many major fires burning throughout the West.


9/8/20 8:00am PST

The Walbridge Fire spot fire near Sweetwater Springs Rd has been contained.

PG&E has issued a PSPS electrical shut down warning for Santa Rosa and neighboring unincorporated areas.


9/7/20 10:00Pm PST

The Walbridge Fire has flared into a rapid spot fire, causing new evacuations orders near Sweetwater Springs Rd and warnings in the lower Russian River. Residents have been advised to stay on alert due to red flag conditions and extreme wind.


9/5/20 10:30am pst

The LNU Lightning Complex is 89% contained, active for 18 days, and has burned 375,209 acres acres overall. As of the 7am Cal Fire update:

  • Walbridge Fire is 95% contained. It has burned 54,940 acres. .

  • Meyers Fire is 100% contained. It has burned 2,360 acres.

  • Hennessey Fire is 89% contained. It has burned 317,909 acres and is the merged fires formerly known as Gamble, Green, Aetna, Markley, Spanish, Morgan, and Round.

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve started burning on the forest floor on the afternoon of 8/24/20. The fire slowly burned through the grove and did not affect iconic redwood trees or historic structures. Austin Creek State Recreation Area was most affected by the Walbridge Fire. The Bullfrog Pond Campground area along with infrastructure, roads, and trails were lost to the fire. Both Parks will be closed until further notice. The public needs to stay away at this time. 


8/28/20 12:00pm pst

The LNU Lightning Complex is 35% contained and has burned 371,249 acres overall. Extreme fire behavior with short- and long-range spotting continues to challenge firefighting efforts. The Hennessey and Walbridge Fires continue to make runs in several directions, impacting surrounding communities. As of the 7am Cal Fire update:

  • Walbridge Fire is 25% contained. It has now burned 55,353 acres, including Armstrong Woods SNR and Austin Creek Recreation Area. Special focus continues to be in the parks, Rio Nido, and north Guerneville.

  • Meyers Fire is 98% contained. It has burned 2,360 acres in the area north of Jenner in Sonoma County. Fire crews are considering this fire nearly out and are waiting to confirm there is no smoke for 3 days.

  • Hennessey Fire is 33% contained. It has now burned 313,536 acres in Napa County.


8/27/20 5:30pm pst

Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the town of Guerneville. Evacuation orders remain in effect for north Guerneville and Rio Nido.


8/25/20 2:00pm pst

Evacuation orders have been lifted on the Sonoma coast, south Russian River, and east of Dry Creek. For the Forestville area, this includes the areas North of Hwy. 116 (Pocket Canyon) and West of Martinelli Rd.


8/25/20 11:45am pst

Cal Fire made good progress overnight to contain the LNU Lightning Complex. As of the 7M Cal Fire update:

  • Walbridge Fire is 17% contained. Fire crews were able to make major progress overnight. The largest concern is still the southern edge of the fire. Cal Fire and Lynda Hopkins are still assessing safety for repopulation.

  • LNU Lightning Complex is 27% contained. It has now burned 352,913 acres across Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo and Solano counties.


8/24/20 12:45pm pst

Sonoma County saw minimal thunderstorms overnight. As of the 7am Cal Fire update:

  • Walbridge Fire is still 5% contained. It has now burned 54,068 acres. Fire crews have managed the hotspots, continuing containment with air strikes and “connecting the dots” around the perimeter.

  • Meyers Fire is 95% contained. It has burned 2,360 acres and is only burning at the center.

  • The red flag warning is now cancelled.


8/23/20 7pm pst

Alameda County is being threatened by the SCU Lightning Complex. Mandatory evacuations and warnings were issued to areas to the east of Fremont, Pleasanton, and Livermore.

If you live in Alamda, start monitoring the SCU Lightning Complex evacuation maps.


8/23/20 1:00pm pst

The Walbridge Fire is 5% contained. There was no new spotting behavior overnight. Cal Fire is continuing to make progress on containment before the winds pick up and new dry lightning storm arrives.


8/22/20 3:00pm PST

FEMA has declared a federal emergency for Sonoma County. It includes individual assistance for Lake, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Yolo Counties. This will be critical for fire survivors who have suffered losses in the fires.

A red flag warning has been issued for the entire region due to new dry lightening storms over the next few days.

The Walbridge Fire remains 0% contained. An update on how the Walbridge Fire is affecting Armstrong Woods SNR has been published by The Press Democrat at 1am.


8/21/20 8:00pm pst

Learn how to understand the impact on mental health during an evacuation and pandemic.


8/20/20 8:00pm PST

Learn how to interpret active wildfires from a Paradise Fire crew member by understanding containment numbers, perimeters, behavior, and conditions.


8/19/20 5:45pm pst

The LNU Lightning Complex Fires are in multiple areas of the North Bay that are 0% contained. The fires previously called 13-4, 11-16, and Irwin Fire are now called:

The East Bay is experiencing the SCU Lightning Complex. The South Bay near Santa Cruz is experiencing the CZU Lightning Complex. There are more fires throughout the entire state of California.

 
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