Jason Clay said residents in Emergency Zone SON-3H1 had to leave immediately Monday afternoon as the Ledson Fire burned east of Santa Rosa. Cal Fire last estimated the fire at about 13 acres, with resources quickly on scene and more air and ground support on the way.
Pythian Road to SON-3H1
The fire began about 1 p.m. near Pythian Road at the northern end of Sonoma Valley and was moving uphill to the east on the western flank of the Maycacamas Mountains. It had a moderate rate of spread in light winds and temperatures in the low 90s.
The evacuation area for SON-3H1 includes South Timberland Drive, east of Los Alamos Road, west of the Napa County line, and Hood Mountain Regional Park. Clay said the fire was burning in the footprint of the 2017 Nuns Fire and the 2020 Glass Fire.
Santa Rosa and Sebastopol
Officials said there was no threat to Santa Rosa and no evacuation orders were in place there, even as smoke was visible within the city and as far west as Sebastopol. That left the evacuation order focused on the rural area east of the city rather than the city itself.
Brian Garcia said low, variable wind conditions at 4 to 5 miles per hour, with gusts up to 8 miles per hour, should help firefighting efforts. He also said overnight temperatures were expected to stay higher than average because of monsoon moisture flattening the temperature curve, and a heat advisory was expected to take effect beginning Tuesday morning.
The immediate question for residents in SON-3H1 is whether access into the evacuation area stays open long enough for them to leave safely. The fire was still at about 13 acres when last measured, and the next operational change will come from how quickly crews can hold its uphill run on the eastern slope.
