Glass Fire: Some Evacuation Orders Downgraded In Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Glass Fire burning in Napa and Sonoma counties was at 61,150 acres and was 8 percent contained Friday evening, according to Cal Fire.

The wildfire that broke out Sunday morning in Napa County before spreading west to Sonoma County has caused evacuation orders for tens of thousands of North Bay residents.

As of Friday evening, Cal Fire reported the fire had destroyed approximately 263 structures in Sonoma County and 561 structures in Napa County. Those numbers — which include eight commercial structures and 120 single-family homes in Sonoma County — were based on damage assessments that have been completed on 30 percent of the burn area, Cal Fire Sonoma Lake Napa Unit Chief Shana Jones said.

The blaze still threatened approximately 28,835 structures as of Friday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire is reporting 2,611 personnel have responded to the fire. Each firefighter works a 24-hour shift, then has 24 hours off to rest.

Air tankers and helicopters are also battling the blaze from above as conditions allow.

With a red flag warning in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday for the North Bay mountains, "it was a very active night for firefighters on the Glass Fire," Cal Fire said. "Temperatures at higher elevations remained above average, and humidity is still low. Downed trees, and dried vegetation made it difficult for firefighers and threatened the fire line."

"The Glass Fire continues to burn actively in all fuel models in Sonoma and Napa counties," Cal Fire said in an evening update. "[Friday] light winds allowed fire behavior to be driven by fuels and topography. Fire growth is occurring from short, intense runs up slopes and drainages, with short range spotting. Active fire behavior continues to threaten control lines."

Evacuation Orders

A bit of goods news came Friday afternoon when some evacuation orders were downgraded for parts of Sonoma County.

As of 3 p.m., the following areas were reduced from evacuation order to evacuation warning:

Zone 3P1:

• South of Annadel State Park
• East and South of Santa Rosa City limits
• North of Bennett Valley Road
• West of Savannah Trail

A portion of Zone 2P1:

• West of Wallace Road
• West of the intersection of Porter Creek Road at Franz Valley Road (Safari West)
• East of Mark West Springs Road
• South of Porter Creek Road to the Santa Rosa City limits.

NOTE: Foothill Ranch Road east of the intersection of Foothill Ranch Road at Wallace Road, as well as, Rolling Oaks Road and Grand Oaks Road remain under an evacuation order.

Then, at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Cal Fire announced evacuation orders were reduced to warnings for the following areas within the city of Santa Rosa:

• Calistoga – North
• Calistoga – South / Skyhawk
• Melita
• Pythian (City of Santa Rosa addresses accessed off Los Alamos Rd)

NOTE: Burned areas within these zones will remain under an Evacuation Order.

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