Fire season hits Sonoma County; statewide conditions worst on record, Cal Fire says

With small wildfires cropping up on the North Coast and a large blaze erupting near Lake Tahoe, California’s fire season has begun in earnest as summer kicks off, prompting warnings from authorities who say that grasslands and forests across the state are primed like never before to go up in flames.

With the Fourth of July around the corner, firefighters are bracing for a long season that by all accounts has the drought-fueled potential to go down as a very busy and dangerous one.

“We’re definitely concerned, especially with the Fourth of July coming up,” Petaluma fire Battalion Chief Jeff Schach said Monday. The department is adding an extra engine on the holiday next month while other rural agencies are likewise ramping up their staffing levels.

California’s four years of drought and the lack of late spring rains this year have created conditions that Cal Fire, the state agency, on Monday called the worst on record.

“We have seen - we saw it last year and we will see it again this year - we’ll be reaching records for potential heat output for times of the year that would normally not be burning in those conditions,” Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire, said at the beginning of a week meant to highlight awareness about wildfire, as reported by Capitol Public Radio.

Already, firefighters with Cal Fire have battled 1,100 fires statewide this year, according to the agency. The average number by this time of the year is fewer than 650.

While afternoon temperatures on the North Coast have mostly been on the mild side, wildland vegetation in the region is at moisture levels typically more common in August, fire officials said.

“We’re having these foggy mornings, but by the time that burns off the fuels are ready to burn,” Schach said.

On Monday, a quarter-acre grass fire flared up about 2 p.m. in Rohnert Park, between the Scandia Family Fun Center and In-N-Out Burger on Redwood Drive. Rohnert Park firefighters quickly doused the blaze. The cause was not immediately apparent.

Several fires are burning statewide, mostly in Southern California, including some that are threatening hundreds of homes, according to news accounts. The fires include a 17,300-acre blaze in San Bernardino County, an 1,800-acre fire in San Luis Obispo County and a 920-acre fire in Madera County.

About 500 firefighters are battling a 9,500-acre fire south of Lake Tahoe that was sparked by a lightning strike Friday. The fire, near the mountain town of Markleeville, was about 10 percent contained Monday.

In the Mendocino National Forest, firefighters Monday morning had the 25-acre Sanhedrin fire nearly fully contained.

“Things are looking really good,” said Curtis Coots, fire chief for the Mendocino National Forest.

Coots said he expected that by Monday evening he’d be able to release much of the firefighting personnel, including hotshot teams that were dropped near the fire.

The blaze, reported Friday night around 7:30 p.m., is burning on remote, private land within the Mendocino National Forest, east of Willits and north of Lake Pillsbury near Little Signal Peak. He said the fire was kept small in part because of an aggressive approach from the start.

“That’s going to be the norm,” Coots said. “With dry lightning predicted around the corner late this week, it’s going to be crucial to have resources staged and poised to hit it hard and keep them small.”

While the investigation into the cause of the fire remained ongoing Monday, Coots said it appeared to have been caused by a person. He declined to give further details.

Fire officials Monday offered several fire safety reminders. Pimlott and others urged homeowners to clear space around their homes and conserve water.

“We don’t have water to water lawns and unnecessary landscaping. So, what that means is, is you need to remove that vegetation as it dries,” Pimlott said.

But property owners as a general rule shouldn’t mow weeds after 11 a.m. to reduce the risk of such well-intentioned activity sparking a blaze, officials said.

Weed mowing last week sparked two regional fires, which were quickly doused, including one on La Paz Lane in the hills above Bennett Valley. Firefighters released a photo of the charred tractor suspected of sparking the fire.

“Things are so dry, we still have people out trying to do their part and cut vegetation on their property,” said Scott Moon, Santa Rosa fire marshal.

He suggested people keep a shovel and container of water nearby in case a fire sparks. Also, they should carry a cellphone to be able to dial 911 if necessary.

Coots said drivers in some rural areas have sparked fires by dragging tow chains on roadways. He said drivers need to make sure such chains are properly secured above the asphalt.

Also, campers need to make sure their fires are completely out. “Be cautious and careful when using any outdoor open flames,” said Cyndi Foreman, fire prevention officer for Central Fire in Windsor.

Fireworks are illegal in much of Sonoma County and Moon urged residents to go to professional shows rather than have private firework displays at home. Several public firework shows are scheduled throughout Sonoma County for July 3 and 4.

“Don’t do fireworks at your own home or within the community. You can be issued a citation if you are possessing fireworks,” Moon said. “Don’t run the risk of starting a fire or getting injured.”

You can reach Staff Writer?Randi Rossmann at 521-5412?or randi.rossmann@?pressdemocrat.com . On Twitter @rossmannreport.