The Woodside Fire near Jenner in Sonoma County, California, has triggered mandatory evacuation orders and warnings as crews work to contain the blaze along the coast.
Fire Grows Along Sonoma Coast
The Woodside Fire ignited Thursday at 1:43 p.m. near the 24000 block of Highway 1 in Timber Cove, according to Cal Fire. The cause remains under investigation, and the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit has jurisdiction over the response. As of an update posted Friday, the fire had burned around 143 acres and reached 30 percent containment, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.Mandatory Evacuations in Effect
An evacuation order—the most urgent level, meaning residents face an immediate threat to life and must leave now—covers Zone 1D1, which includes Salt Point State Park and Timber Cove. That zone stretches north of Fort Ross Road, south of Kruse Ranch Road and Hauser Bridge Road, east of the coastline, and west of the south fork of the Gualala River, the sheriff's office said. Cal Fire listed the specific areas under order as Salt Point State Park, Steelwater Cove Regional Park, Ocean Cove Private Camp, and the Timber Cove Subdivision.The sheriff's office urged anyone in the order zone to leave immediately using available routes and to follow instructions from emergency crews, adding that residents with extra time should check on neighbors, since first responders may go door to door to assist people still in the area.
A less urgent evacuation warning, meant for residents who may need more time or who have pets and livestock, has been issued for Zone 1D2, an area northwest of Cazadero. That zone lies north of Fort Ross Road, south and west of King Ridge Road, and east of the south fork of the Gualala River. The county said this warning applies to all residents within that boundary.
Sonoma County opened a Temporary Evacuation Point at Laguna High School, formerly known as El Molino, located at 7050 Covey Rd. in Forestville, for displaced residents.
Officials Ask Public to Avoid Overloading 911
Heavy smoke has spread across Sonoma County because of the fire, and the sheriff's office asked residents not to call 911 simply to report smoke, warning that such calls are overwhelming the emergency system. The office said 911 should be reserved for genuine emergencies or situations where someone feels they are in immediate danger.For those needing help moving animals out of the area, Sonoma County Animal Response Team can assist with small pets at 707-861-0699, while NorCal Livestock Evacuation can help with livestock and larger animals at 707-234-7193.
How to Get Updates
Residents can check their address against current evacuation boundaries using an interactive map at socoemergency.org/evacuation-map, and general updates are posted at socoemergency.org or by calling 211. Anyone who feels unsafe, regardless of their zone status, should evacuate right away.The blaze adds to a summer marked by widespread wildfire activity across the West.