Kincade Fire Latest: Mandatory Evacuations In Healdsburg, Windsor

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — New evacuations were ordered Saturday for all of Healdsburg and Windsor in the Kincade Fire that has scorched 30,000 acres in Sonoma County, according to Cal Fire. The blaze was 10 percent contained as of early Sunday morning.

"Please leave soon if you haven't already," a Nixle alert from the city said.

The Healdsburg evacuation center is being closed. The city said in a Nixle alert the following evacuation centers are open, however, the City of Petaluma said Sunday morning that it has reached capacity at all of its evacuation centers. Petaluma is not accepting any more people at its evacuation centers.

Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building – 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa

Petaluma Fairgrounds - 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma

Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building - 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South., Petaluma

Large animals can be evacuated to the Sonoma County fairgrounds at 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa.

Buses are also being staged to take residents to the evacuation centers.

Residents can sign up to get email alerts from CalFire about the latest on the Kincade Fire.

California Highway Patrol announced just after 10:30 Sunday morning that U.S Highway 101 is closed in the Windsor/Healdsburg area because of poor visibility and fire east of Arata Lane. There have been closures and reopenings along the highway as winds have shifted. Officials say to use caution and avoid the area if possible.

Pacific Gas & Electric expected to turn off power in Sonoma County starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Announcing the new evacuations at a press conference Saturday morning, Cal Fire Division Chief Jonathan Cox said officials don't take the decision to order the evacuations lightly and understand the substantial impacts of the new orders.

"The decisions that we're making today and talking to you about we take very seriously," Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick said. "These decisions were well vetted through many experts and we believe this is the right decision for Sonoma County, for your safety and the safety of all of us."

Approximately 50,000 people are affected by the new evacuation orders.

"We are evacuating because this fire is very dangerous," Essick said, adding that the blaze is expected to move towards Healdsburg and Windsor Saturday evening.

Those not able to physically evacuate due to medical conditions are being asked to call the sheriff's office at 911. Essick said officials are encouraging residents to help their neighbors who may not be able to evacuate due to disabilities.

Anyone with general questions about the evacuation can call 211.

Officials also urged residents to not wait until the last minute to evacuate.

"Do not take this warning lightly, we need everybody to evacuate," Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli said addressing his residents.

Healdsburg Mayor David Hagele said it's time to drop things, pack and go in a calm and orderly manner.

The evacuation orders announced Saturday were for the following areas:

Zone 2

Highway 128 North Knights Valley Area to the Napa County Line

Zone 3

Highway 101 corridor from Geyserville South through the town of Windsor. This includes the entire city of Healdsburg and the town of Windsor and all areas east to Chalk Hill Road area.

New evacuation warnings have been issued for the following areas:

Zone 4

The Dry Creek Valley west to Forestville

Zone 5

Larkfield and Mark West Drainage

Zone 7

All areas west of Healdsburg and Windsor. Throughout the Russian River Valley to Bodega Bay.

Sunday morning, the sheriff's office also updated its mandatory evacuation areas, omitting Oakmont, Fountaingrove and Rincon Valley. The updated mandatory evacuation areas around Santa Rosa include Porter Creek Road, Petrified Forrest Road, Calistoga Road and St. Helena Road.

The National Weather Service said a red flag warning is in effect through 11 a.m. on Monday.

This report will be updated.

Bay City News contributed to this report.