All Walbridge Fire Evacuations Lifted

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — With the Walbridge Fire nearly contained, all remaining evacuation warnings for the blaze were lifted late Wednesday afternoon by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

The Walbridge Fire, which broke out Aug. 18 west of Healdsburg, was 95 percent contained Wednesday morning at 55,209 acres, according to Cal Fire.

The massive blaze was part of the LNU Lightning Complex of fires which collectively were 92 percent contained Wednesday morning after burning 363,220 acres in six Northern California counties —Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Solano, Yolo and Colusa — and destroying 1,491 homes, businesses and other structures.

In Sonoma County, the sheriff's office noted Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve remained closed. The closure of Sweetwater Springs Road between 18730 and 20011 also remained in place because of dangerous conditions caused by the fire.

"The burn area is under a Public Health Order due to hazards created by the fire ... Please follow County Health recommendations, especially if you're returning to burned property," Sonoma County Sheriff's officials said.

Residents returning to evacuation zones should follow instructions from first responders, listen for hi-lo sirens in the event fire conditions change, and use extreme caution around any burned areas, sheriff's officials said.

Areas nearest the fire may have had PG&E services temporarily disrupted while the fire was being fought; PG&E is working around the clock to restore services to all its unaffected customers, the sheriff's office said.

"If you come across any downed power lines, treat them as live and call 911 and then PG&E," the sheriff's office said.

"The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. A reminder to drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel. There may be smoke in the respective areas as firefighters continue firefighting operations."

Here are the final Walbridge Fire evacuation warnings, lifted as of 4 p.m. Wednesday:

Zone 1B3:

• East of Sewell Road and King Ridge Road
• North of Old Cazadero Road and Austin Creek (the actual Creek) and East Austin Creek through the recreation area.
• West of East Austin Creek and Walbridge Ridge.
• South of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road.

Zone 1D4:

• North of the Russian River
• East of Cazadero Highway
• West of Armstrong Woods Road and Sweetwater Springs Road
• South East Austin Creek (the actual creek) and the East Austin Creek Fire Road (Austin Creek Recreational Area).

Zone 2A3:

• North of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road to the eastern edge of Lake Sonoma
• Everything west of the eastern edge of Lake Sonoma to the western boundary that runs north along the ridge line from the intersection of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road at Old Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road to the interception of Rockpile Road at Cooley Ranch Road north to the Mendocino County Line.

Zone 2E1:

• West of Wallace Creek Road
• North of Palmer Creek Road and McCray Ridge Road
• East of East Austin Creek (the actual creek) and Walbridge Ridge
• South of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road

Zone 2E2:

• West of Dry Creek
• North and East of Chimese Road
• South of Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road

Zone 2E3: West of Dry Creek and Westside Road

• South Chimese Road
• North of Mill Creek
• East of Wallace Creek Road