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The Point Fire, the area’s first critical fire of the season, broke out Sunday afternoon northwest of Healdsburg, on the eastern shore of Lake Sonoma.
With high winds and low humidity, it grew to more than 1,000 acres (more than 405 hectares) throughout the day, forcing the evacuation of more than 400 people and another 4,000 under an evacuation warning.
10:25 a.m.
So far, no area wineries or vineyards have been burned in the Point Fire, according to Lauren Fremont, executive director of Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley.
However, he said, many of the nearby wineries will be closed on Monday, June 17, due to smoke.
About 10 wineries, including Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves and A. Rafanelli Winery on West Dry Creek Road, fell into the fire evacuation area and “basically all” were evacuated on Sunday.
None of the businesses along Dry Creek Road have been evacuated yet.
It’s early in the fire and grape-growing season, and there is little research on the impacts of smoke on grapes as small as today’s.
“It’s never ideal, but right now we’re not too worried about it,” Fremont said.
Jeremy Kreck, co-owner of Mill Creek Winery, which has operated in the Dry Creek Valley for more than 50 years, said the same thing.
“The effects on development and the final product will be exactly the same,” he said.
10:05 am
Currently, a tanker aircraft and a fixed-wing aircraft are scheduled to take off at 10:00 a.m. Four Type 1 helicopters are also assigned for that day.
Crews and aircraft will battle the western flank of the fire, which has rugged and steep terrain.
9:15 a.m.
According to a Cal Fire incident action plan, firefighting objectives on Monday and through Tuesday morning, June 18, focus on keeping the fire east of Wallbridge Road, south of Stewarts Point and Skaggs roads. and north of Mill Creek Road.
The Press Democrat, sister publication of La Prensa Sonoma, reported Monday, June 17, that the fire destroyed at least three structures along West Dry Creek Road, including a home in the 8200 block. But like much of the damage to the structure occurred later Sunday, fire personnel have not yet fully determined what burned, according to Cal Fire spokesman Jason Clay.
“We actually started the process of damage inspections and carried it out,” he said.
The team will focus on counting the number of structures lost and what type, such as houses or outbuildings. Once they have a clearer accounting, the agency will provide an update.
8:50 a.m.
Summer programming in Santa Rosa will take place Monday with restrictions on outdoor activity for sites with unhealthy air quality levels.
All summer activities with the city will remain indoors until further notice, according to a message from the district sent Sunday evening.
8:35 a.m.
Fog and smoke from the Point Fire will continue to affect Healdsburg, Windsor, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa throughout the day and night, according to the National Weather Service.
Healdsburg can expect sustained winds of 7 to 16 mph (25 kph), with gusts up to 21 mph (33 kph), on Monday.
Here are the latest updates as the fire continues on Monday:
7:05 a.m.
Here is the latest operational map that firefighters are using to determine the size and scope of the Point Fire so far.
6:50 a.m.
As smoke from the Point Fire affects air quality, a Spare the Air alert is in effect starting Monday for the San Francisco Bay Area. That means burning wood is prohibited and people should avoid exposure by staying indoors if possible.
The National Weather Service released projections for smoke paths, and mostly light smoke near the surface across Sonoma County is expected to spread further south by 9 a.m.
6:15 a.m.
Temperatures dropped and humidity increased overnight, and by early Monday, the Point Fire was 20% contained and remained at 1,100 acres.
Crews overnight continued to build and fortify control lines under more favorable conditions, according to Cal Fire.
Three helicopters carried out night firefighting operations, and the response currently includes 400 personnel, four helicopters, 50 engines, 10 dozers, 10 tankers and 12 crews.
Several firefighting air tankers from around the state are conducting firefighting missions as conditions allow.
Cal Fire noted there is a possibility of further spread on Monday.
The agency will host a public briefing at 7 a.m. at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Staff writer Austin Murphy contributed reporting from the scene.
