Sonoma County Public Infrastructure, CAL FIRE, and Sonoma County Fire District lead strategic wildfire prevention project

Sonoma County Public Infrastructure, CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, and Sonoma County Fire District are leading a proactive vegetation management and fire prevention project along two of the county’s most critical evacuation corridors: Mark West Springs Road and Porter Creek Road.

With support from voter-approved Measure H, this proactive collaboration is designed to improve public safety and fire prevention by enhancing evacuation routes and reducing wildfire risk. Residents and visitors should expect one-way traffic controls on the affected roads on Fridays: Aug. 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Thanks to the support of Sonoma County voters, we are able to partner with fire professionals to go beyond standard maintenance and take meaningful action to protect lives and property,” said Johannes Hoevertsz, Director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure. “This partnership is a powerful example of agencies aligning for the greater good of our community.”

CAL FIRE and Sonoma County Fire District will provide the labor and fire suppression expertise needed to cut, remove and chip vegetation, while Public Infrastructure will contribute equipment and traffic control, including an aerial truck/manlift, dump truck and mower.

The partnership also allows fire agencies to work within Public Infrastructure’s right-of-way without the delays that often accompany encroachment or environmental permitting. This flexibility ensures faster implementation of fire mitigation strategies at a time when every day counts.

“Clear and accessible roads save lives—not just for the public, but for firefighters, too,” said Assistant Chief Mike Wink, CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit. “These shaded fuel breaks give our crews the access they need to take action quickly during an emergency.”

“Successful collaboration with our public safety and County partnerships, allows us to put this critical project on the ground quickly and effectively, creating a safer egress corridor for our community in the event of a wildfire," said Cyndi Foreman, Fire Marshal of Sonoma County Fire District.

While all participating departments benefit from this streamlined collaboration, the greatest benefit goes to the Sonoma County community with safer evacuation routes and a reduced threat from encroaching wildfires.

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Media Contact:

Matt Brown
Sonoma County Public Affairs
(707) 565-8540, or publicaffairs@sonomacounty.gov

Tyree Zander
CAL FIRE LNU, Public Information Officer
(707) 967-4207or Tyree.Zander@fire.ca.gov

Karen Hancock
Sonoma County Fire District, Public Information Officer
(707) 892-2445 or khancock@sonomacountyfd.org