Warnings To Stay Alert For Heat And Fire Danger This Weekend for Petaluma

HEALDSBURG, CA — Temperatures that climbed into the triple digits in the North Bay – feeding the Pickett Fire burning near Calistoga – remained in the upper 90s Friday, and a heat advisory is set to continue across much of the Bay Area through Saturday.

Inland areas of Sonoma County are also under an air quality advisory until 9 p.m. Saturday due to the wildfire smoke. Billowing smoke from the fire was visible from Healdsburg and nearby areas on Thursday evening.

As firefighters continue to battle the Pickett Fire, high heat, low humidity, and afternoon winds have fire officials on high alert.

But, unlike the recent 2017 Tubbs and 2020 Glass fires, the current blaze appears not to be moving toward the Sonoma County line, Sonoma County Fire District Division Chief Cyndi Foreman said.

She urged residents to register for warnings and have a “go-bag” ready.

Working with equipment that could spark a fire, such as weed eaters with metal blades or chainsaws, should be postponed during the heat wave.

Foreman cautioned residents to be on watch for dehydration and to seek shade, fans, and air conditioning – if not at home, then at shopping malls, community centers, and public libraries. Children and seniors should take particular care.

"If you are thirsty," she said, "you are already dehydrated."

The Petaluma Regional Library is closed until Aug. 25. During extreme heat, Sonoma County and the City of Petaluma may activate official cooling centers. Call 2-1-1 for more information. The Petaluma Swim Center is open according to the website and there are water activities are available on the Petaluma River.