🌱 Rushin' River + Hella Burn Piles + See New Evacuation Zones

Hello and happy Thursday, everybody! I'm back in your inbox per usual with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. Today's briefing includes news about:

• A brand-new set of 13 evacuation zones for Healdsburg
• Burn pile mania in and around town
• How fast the Russian River is flowing right now
• A big PG&E restoration project in Healdsburg that will block some streets over the next week
• And more...

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Fog in the morning, then a mix of sun and clouds. Chance of rain. High: 63 Low: 44.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy and cool. High: 62 Low: 48.
• Saturday: Mix of sun and clouds, with another chance of rain. High: 64 Low: 41.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Healdsburg city leaders just made some much-needed changes to the evacuation zone map here in town — cutting the number of zones from 41 (!) down to 13, and renaming them so they don't conflict so confusingly with the Sonoma County government's own evacuation map. "The new zones also incorporate community feedback and streamline the color scheme of the zones and boundaries, resulting in an easier-to-read map" during wildfires and other local emergencies, Patch reports. "During an emergency, the city will update the interactive map to show which zones are under an evacuation order or warning." Kelsey Carreiro, emergency manager for the City of Healdsburg, says: "We encourage all community members to take the time to look up their evacuation zones now —before an emergency occurs. Knowing your zone and having an evacuation plan in place can be critical in ensuring your safety, and the safety of your loved ones.'" You can get more info on the new zones, suggested evacuation routes and more on the city's website. (City of Healdsburg & Healdsburg Patch)

2. With this brief stretch of wet weather between heat waves, local fire officials are taking the opportunity to burn a bunch of vegetation that could pose a problem come fire season. The Northern Sonoma County Fire District, which protects rural Healdsburg, posted online yesterday: "Are you taking advantage of this cool, wet weather to complete your burn piles? We are, and you should too! Today our fuel reduction crew is burning 180 piles on Ridge Oaks Road" in Geyserville. But they warn that "despite the rain and cool weather, don't get complacent, continue to monitor your burn to ensure it doesn't escape." The Healdsburg Fire Department will be overseeing more burn piles in the Parkland Farms area today, as well; "Smoke may be visible throughout the day," department officials say. And our local Cal Fire unit shared some info on how to quickly secure a burn permit online, plus tips for staying safe during a burn. "One of the requirements for conducting a safe landscape debris pile burn is clearing all flammable material and vegetation within 10-feet of the outer edge of the pile down to bare earth," Cal Fire says. (City of Healdsburg Fire Department via Facebook & Northern Sonoma County Fire District via Facebook & CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit via Facebook & CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit via Facebook)
3. Meanwhile, the Russian River through town — which I thought was called the Rushin' River when I was little — is reportedly rushin' along at speeds much higher than normal for this time of year, thanks to all the rain we've gotten. This could pose a danger for river floaters and swimmers if they're not careful, the North Bay Business Journal reports. From the story: "Coming out of a record winter with water runoff that caused flooding over much of California, the Russian River, like many waterways in the state, was transformed into a fast and wide torrent — prompting concern from North Bay agencies tasked with river safety. In April, the Russian River — a favorite floating go-to for the masses — ran at a rate of 1,800 cubic feet per second. To put the flow into perspective, imagine Golden State Warriors Point Guard Steph Curry passing 1,800 basketballs to a certain point all at once. Granted, as time has passed, the river has since settled to flowing under 1,000 cubic feet per second, but it’s still as [one Healdsburg canoer's father] summed up — 'humbling.' North Bay rescue crews acknowledge they may be facing more risk this year to visitors and locals enjoying the beloved summer activity. 'Absolutely, this is a concern. A lot of times people won’t wear their life vests. Not only are they dealing with more water now, but swifter moving water,' Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dept. Rob Dillion said. 'And all that water is going to bring more people to the river.'" County officials have reportedly been giving their emergency response crews extra rescue trainings, and have "set up racks of life vests that rafters and tubers can borrow on the honor system to float down the river... staged at Del Rio, Steelhead, Riverfront, Mom’s Beach and Sunset parks." Read the story in the Journal to find out more and get your safety measures straight. (North Bay Business Journal; paywall)

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Healdsburg pics of the day, spring rain edition:

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Events coming up in Healdsburg:

Thursday, May 4

• Gentle Yoga at the Healdsburg Senior Center (Weekly on Thursdays, May 4-25, 10:10AM-10:55AM)
• Screening of the Alzheimer's Association's "A Caregiver's Guide to Finances" at the Healdsburg Library (11AM-12PM)
• Annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction in Healdsburg: Tasting Preview at Bacchus Landing (11AM-4PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 3:30PM)
• Tortilla-Making Class With Mateo's Chef at The Drink (5-7PM)
• Derek Irving Live at Roth Estate Winery for Music Series Kickoff (5-7PM)
• Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 6-8PM)
• Twain Live at Little Saint (6-9PM)
• "Locals Thursday" at Coyote Sonoma, Featuring $5 Beer & Wine, Burger Bar, Live Music by Jacob Philip Benning & Karaoke With "Dr." Rob Bogan (5-10PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Run to Geyserville Gun Club (6PM)
• Alexander Valley Film Festival (AVFest): Arthouse Film Night at The Madrona, Featuring Refreshments & Screening of "Freaks Out" (7PM)

Friday, May 5

• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-6 at Giorgi Park (Weekly, 10:30AM)
• AVFest: Three Daytime Film Screenings & Nighttime "World Shorts Showcase" at Longboard Vineyards (11:30AM-8:30PM)
• Annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction in Healdsburg: Lunch & Live Auction at MacMurray Estate Vineyards (11AM-4PM)
• Super Smash Bros. Video Game Tournament at the Healdsburg Library (3-5PM)
• Pizza on the Piazza at Bacchus Landing (4-7PM)
• Highway 12 Band Live at Hudson Street Wineries Old Roma Station (5:30-7:30PM)
• Beatles Cover Band "Hey Jude" Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• The Coffis Brothers Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, May 6

• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Road Trip to Inverness Beach for Run & Swim (8AM)
• Healdsburg Community Church Hosts "Outdoor Adventure With Soul": Camping at Pomo Canyon (May 6, 9AM - May 7, 12PM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Annual Fire & Earthquake Safety Expo at the Healdsburg Community Center, Featuring Public Education & Training, Helicopter Demo, Emergency Responder Meet & Greet, 60-Plus Exhibitors & Free Coffee, Donuts, Hot Dogs & Chili (10AM-3PM)
• Healdsburg Center for the Arts Hosts Mosaic Stepping Stones Workshop at Private Studio in Alexander Valley (May 6-7, 10AM-3PM)
• AVFest: Three Daytime Film Screenings at Longboard Vineyards (10:30AM-5:30PM)
• Registration Window at Healdsburg City Hall for the Rollin’ Rosies Poker Run & Classic Car Show in Cotati From 2-6PM (11-11:45AM)
• Spring Release Party at Hawley Winery Estate, Featuring Live Music, Food, Wine & Fun (12-3PM)
• Cinco De Mayo Celebration at Healdsburg Senior Living Facility on Grove Street, Featuring Taco Truck & Dancers (1-3PM)
• "A Taste of Spring" Garden Party at Ferrari-Carano Winery (1-4PM)
• "An Epicurean Adventure" Wine & Food Tasting at Rodney Strong Vineyards (3PM)
• AVFest: Plaza Cinema Center Celebration Dinner & Free Screening of "Little Richard: I Am Everything" at the Plaza (6PM)
• Classic Rock Cover Band "Highway 12" Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• The Lovin' Dead Live at the Elephant in the Room (7:30-10:30PM)

From my notebook:

• Over the next week, PG&E crews will be "performing required slurry seal street restoration on various street segments where gas line upgrades have been installed" in Healdsburg, city officials say. "Lane closures and other traffic control measures will be in effect during this time. Residents and business owners in the affected areas will temporarily be unable to use their driveways and streets for a portion of the day while the slurry seal is applied. PG&E will notify affected residents and businesses which day lanes will be closed and when on-street parking is not allowed. Temporary 'No Parking' signs will be placed on affected streets, and during this time vehicle owners will need to find temporary parking on adjacent streets." Get more info and see the exact streets affected here. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook)
• Some ambitious neighbors just formed a "Healdsburg walking group"! They've been meeting up Tuesday mornings around 8 a.m. at the corner of University and Sherman. "You don’t have to know anyone (I didn’t), don’t have to be in shape, and can come anytime as a 'drop in'," one organizer says. "Let’s do this same route for a bit so we can establish a group of walkers to eventually walk every day." (Facebook Groups)

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Alrighty, that's it for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with another update!

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Patch newsletter? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com