A fast-moving wildfire ignited late Wednesday in a remote, mountainous stretch of northeastern Sonoma County, rapidly growing to 400 acres amid intense winds and prompting evacuations outside Geyserville.
The fire is burning near The Geysers geothermal plant in the Mayacamas Mountains and the glow of flames is visible throughout the area, officials said. Mandatory evacuations are in place for Geysers Road to Highway 128, Pine Flat Road and Red Winery Road, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
State Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, said there aren’t many heavily populated communities near the fire but hundreds of homes and hunting cabins are scattered throughout the area.
The blaze broke out after the National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning for high fire danger. Pacific Gas and Electric Co., whose power lines sparked many fires in the county two years ago, has proactively turned off power to 178,000 customer accounts in 15 counties, including Sonoma.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the power was out in the exact spot where the fire ignited. The Chronicle has reached out to PG&E for comment.
McGuire said he was not currently worried about the PG&E blackouts, which are intended to stop power lines from starting more fires, interfering.
“This is an all-hands on deck effort,” he said. “The call has gone out and there is a regional response to this fire. You’re seeing fire agencies from throughout the North Bay responding to the blaze even as we speak, and there is no shortage of resources at this point.”
The Sheriff’s Office also said an evacuation warning is in place for Geyserville and northern Healdsburg. But a valley floor filled with vineyards — and the Russian River — lie between the fire and those communities.
Authorities’ biggest concern currently is the high wind speeds that could continue to make firefighting difficult.
Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said multiple stations in the highest peaks near where the fire is spreading have recorded wind speeds over 60 miles per hour. Temperatures are in the upper 60s to low 70s and humidity levels are ranging from 10% to 15%, he said.
The peak wind period is expected to last until about sunrise and will then gradually decrease throughout the day, Mehle said.
This story will be updated.
This is the #KincadeFire. 1 structure involved w/ spread into vegetation, moving towards Sonoma Co. Sheriffs requested for evacuations. Units not optimistic about containing the fire already. https://t.co/2oT7bDOq4B pic.twitter.com/XaLJfbf4Re
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) October 24, 2019
#KincadeFire (N/E Sonoma Co) - Night AA plane still 30 miles out w/ large fire visible & building, recommending mandatory evacuations, reporting dangerous-critical ROS.
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) October 24, 2019
#KincadeFire (N/E Sonoma Co) - CAL FIRE BC1413 requesting 8 dozers to Cadd Dunlavy Fire Trail off Geysers Rd in the Mercuryville area & I believe he reported it was 200+ acres (radio traffic is poor). pic.twitter.com/SyUHYl0cXT
— CA Fire Scanner (@CAFireScanner) October 24, 2019
Another view of the new fire in northern Sonoma County along the Lake County line on 1-minute #GOESWest infrared imagery (channel 7). Time lapse goes from 9:15 pm to 9:49 pm PDT. #CAwx #CAfire pic.twitter.com/9F3O6kDRWT
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) October 24, 2019