Prescribed Burn Scheduled In Northern Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Northern Sonoma County Fire District plans to conduct a 52-acre prescribed burn Wednesday.

The controlled burn will start around 11 a.m. on the Hillside Ranch, which is located approximately halfway between Lake Sonoma and the Sonoma Coast.

Fire officials expect smoke to be visible throughout the day.

Agencies that assist Northern Sonoma County Fire in conducting this and other prescribed burns include Cal Fire, North Sonoma Coast Fire District, Monte Rio Fire District, Petaluma Fire Department and South Coast Fire District (Mendocino County).

Wednesday's prescribed burn is being funded by a County of Sonoma Vegetation Management Program Grant awarded to the Northern Sonoma County Fire District in 2021.

Prescribed burning is one way to naturally reduce fuel loads and prevent future fires or at least reduce the intensity of future wildfires, the agency said. The burns also serve as a training opportunity for firefighters.