Watch: Evacuation Update As Wildfire Keeps Sonoma County Under Air Alert

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Evacuations will continue along with shutdowns along HWY-101 at least until later Friday, according to fire officials.

A Spare the Air Alert was also extended as smoke from the Woodside Fire continues to affect air quality across Sonoma and Marin counties, prompting health officials to urge residents to stay indoors when possible and avoid prolonged outdoor activity.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an Air Quality Advisory for Sonoma and Marin counties, warning that smoke from the wildfire could affect air quality throughout the North Bay and other parts of the region through Friday. Wood burning is prohibited during the Spare the Air Alert.

High levels of fine particulate pollution can be harmful, especially for children, older adults, and people with heart or respiratory conditions, authorities warned.

Friday afternoon firefighters announced they were holding the Woodside Fire to 143 acres and had increased containment to 30%, while evacuation orders remained in place for about 350 Sonoma County residents.

Cal Fire Batallion Chief, Commander Marshall Turbeville, said the fire was pushed south by a strong wind.

What started as one fire became four separate blazes demanding teams work through the night to reach 30%, Turbville said.

Crews were focusing Friday on preventing the fire from spreading east of HWY-101, Turbville said.

Sonoma County will still be seeing smoke Friday. But Cal Fire hoped to open HWY-101 within one or two days.

Evacuation orders could be listed as early as Friday evening, he said, but more likely that would happen Saturday.

Although no fire-related evacuations have been ordered, pools around the area are closing for the day as are other outdoor recreational facilities.

Residents who cannot keep indoor air cool and clean are encouraged to visit a Clean Air Center or another public facility with filtered air such as a library.

Health officials recommend keeping windows and doors closed when smoke levels rise, running air conditioners on recirculate if available, and wearing a properly fitted N95 respirator if extended time outdoors cannot be avoided.

The advisory follows Thursday's fast-moving Woodside Fire, which forced evacuations from Jenner north to Salt Point State Park and closed a stretch of Highway 1 as firefighters battled flames driven by strong coastal winds.

The fire ignited about 1:43 p.m. Thursday near the 24000 block of Highway 1 in the Timber Cove area, north of Jenner and Fort Ross.

Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said the vegetation fire started at approximately 3 acres before winds rapidly pushed it through dense timber.

Within hours, the blaze expanded from 15 acres to about 100 acres before ultimately reaching approximately 143 acres. As of midnight, firefighters had reached 20% containment. Officials continue investigating the cause.

Authorities closed Highway 1 between Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road and Timber Cove Road to allow fire engines, aircraft, and hand crews to operate safely.

El Molino High School in Forestville was evacuated as residents miles away from the fire reported ash raining down on their homes.

Fire officials said changing winds today could continue to shift smoke across the North Bay through Friday, meaning air quality may vary significantly from one community to another.

Residents can monitor current conditions through the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and limit outdoor activity whenever smoke becomes visible or the smell of smoke is strong.

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