Sonoma County officials warn of high wildfire risk for 2025 fire season

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Sonoma County officials and partner agencies today urged residents to prepare for what may be a high-risk wildfire season this year. During a wildfire preparedness update before the Board of Supervisors, officials, including emergency managers and fire chiefs, highlighted local multi-agency efforts to reduce wildfire risk, enhance emergency coordination, and support community readiness as the county prepares for a 2025 fire season that is expected to bring high fuel loads and unfavorable weather conditions. 

“We’re entering this fire season with conditions that demand heightened vigilance,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Our goal is to stay ahead of these risks through planning, coordination and public engagement.”

Sonoma County is expected to experience warmer and drier-than-normal conditions from June through August, with only limited relief from the coastal marine layer. The heavy rains and a drier-than-expected spring have caused an increase in potential wildfire fuel. This year, the National Weather Service has created a new warning level known as Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS), to indicate an unusually high risk of severe weather in association with extreme Red Flag Warnings. A PDS warning, typically used for hurricanes or for strong and violent tornadoes, is used to highlight specific areas most vulnerable during a natural event.

Officials also reported that extended periods of dry and high winds will lead to flash drought conditions. Flash droughts, characterized by prolonged periods of high temperatures and strong winds, lead to rapid evaporation and drying of vegetation, thereby increasing wildfire conditions. 

“We are in a fire year, not a fire season,” said Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls told the Board of Supervisors. “The reports clearly show we need to be vigilant and prepared for an increased threat of large wildfires”. 

Chief Nicholls of the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported that the agency will be ready to respond quickly to any wildfire reports with a team that includes:

• 31 engines
• Five bulldozers with a sixth online by June 17
• Crews stationed at the Hood Mountain Fire Center
• SAAB - Air Attack 120 plane for aerial firefighting
• Tanker 86 aircraft
• Boggs Mountain Copter 612
• Three crews each at Konocti, in Lower Lake, and Delta, in Suisun locations
• 16 exclusive-use helicopters, including night-time operation helicopters

This is all supplemented by the world's largest firefighting fleet of 85 aircraft of all sizes from Cal Fire. These aircraft are strategically located in various locations across the state, including McClellan Air Attack Base and Fresno Air Attack Base. The Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit is expected to be fully staffed by June 17.  

“We can’t prevent every wildfire, but we as a community can be better prepared to keep ourselves and loved ones safe,” said Jeff DuVall, director of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management. “We’ve strengthened our alert systems, updated evacuation maps, and are working hard to ensure the public has timely, accurate information when it matters most.”

This year’s preparedness efforts include:

• Expanding the county’s Alert and Warning Test in Windsor
• Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test in Sonoma Valley and Napa
• NOAA weather radio alert countywide
• Evacuation exercise in the Springs in Sonoma Valley
• Conducting various trainings with the public, including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training throughout Sonoma County
• Emergency Management Center training with core staff

In addition, the Department of Emergency Management hosts weekly operational area calls with county agencies and partners to inform them of any potential dangers or events. To kick off fire season, the County on June 1 hosted a Wildfire and Earthquake Expo at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, which drew roughly 3,000 attendees. The Department of Emergency Management distributed nearly 1,500 free go bags to bolster the community's ability to react to an emergency. 

Additional preparations, including the development of the defensible space through Permit Sonoma. Its chipper program has completed more than 174 applications at residential properties. Measure H, a sales tax to support fire preparedness, has supported the fuel mitigation and roadside clearance projects in high-risk zones. 

Meanwhile, Sonoma Water has invested $1.3 million over the last five years on fire fuel reduction, including more than 100 acres of fuel break clearing, pile burns of dead debris, chipping, mowing brush, pruning, and clearance at Liberty Glen Campground and the Lake Sonoma visitors center. Additionally, more than 10 miles of trail have been regraded for strategic fire breaks and emergency access near Lake Sonoma. 

Community members are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts, maintain defensible space around their homes, and review evacuation routes. More preparedness resources are available at SoCoEmergency.org.

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Media Contact:
Gilbert Martinez, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-3040