Control Lines Cut Around Walbridge, Hennessey Fires

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A control line is cut around the entire perimeter of the Walbridge Fire in Sonoma County, according to Cal Fire Operations Section Chief Chris Waters.

The 54,940-acre fire was 92 percent contained as of Thursday night; residents started moving back into the area within its perimeter Wednesday.

A control line has also been cut the entire way around the Hennessey Fire, Cal Fire officials said Thursday, a key marker in the fight against the 317,909-acre fire.

The Hennessey Fire, which is 85 percent contained, is the largest blaze in the LNU Lightning Complex fires that have burned 375,209 acres in Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Lake, Yolo and Colusa counties since Aug. 17.

Evacuation orders were also reduced to warnings Thursday morning for residents along state Highway 29 from Silverado Trail to the Napa and Lake county line, and all roads between Aetna Springs Road and James Creek Road.

Five people died in the Hennessey Fire: three in Napa County and two in Solano County.

In Lake County, evacuation orders were also reduced to warnings for all residents south of Butts Canyon Road, east of state Highway 29, and north and west of the Lake/Napa County Line. Further, the evacuation warning was fully lifted for all Lake County residents north of Morgan Valley Road, east of state Highway 53, south of state Highway 20 and west of the Lake/Colusa County line.

As a whole, the LNU Lightning Complex Fire was 86 percent contained as more than 2,000 fire personnel still assigned to the blazes worked Thursday to protect 1,350 homes and buildings still threatened.

According to Cal Fire, 785 single-family homes in Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Lake and Yolo counties have been destroyed by the lightning-sparked fires, as well as 11 commercial buildings, one multi-family residence, and one mixed commercial and residential structure.

In Sonoma County, 159 single-family homes were destroyed by the fires as of Thursday, while another 10 homes have been damaged.

Local Assistance Centers have been set up in Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties for residents who lost homes or businesses or have been otherwise affected by the fires. An LAC is a one-stop shop with critical government services for residents where they can receive help with replacing lost or destroyed vital information such as ID cards or financial documents and get connected with support services.

In Sonoma County, there are two LACs: one in the Healdsburg High School gymnasium, 1024 Prince St. in Healdsburg; the other at Bank of America, 16390 Main St. in Guerneville. Both centers are currently open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Friday. The LACs may remain open after Sept. 4, if needed, according to Soco.emergency.org.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.