Lightning-Free Weekend Was Good News For Walbridge Fire Crews

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Lightning strikes that had been forecast did not arrive overnight in Sonoma County, and that was a major break for weary firefighters trying to contain the Walbridge Fire that has ravaged the rugged, mountainous northwest part of the county for a week.

The National Weather Service on Monday morning also canceled a red flag warning it had issued for the Bay Area.

"The fire's edge with the lack of significant fire activity last night as associated with the thunderstorm, and the higher fuel moistures in the air today, and the resources on the line, we're starting a good rhythm to start getting a great containment on this fire," Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls said.

Cal Fire officials emphasized that quelling the Walbridge Fire — which has burned 54,068 acres to date and is only 5 percent contained — will be a long, uncertain battle, and the fire is still very dangerous.

"We still have a very large incident over there that can still be a little bit unpredictable," Cal Fire Incident Commander Sean Kavanaugh said.

But Monday morning's news briefing was the most positive since the lightning-sparked fire sprang to life just over a week ago, with both fire and county officials speaking in forward looking terms.

"In terms of the county's overall activities, we are, of course, turning towards recovery," said Chris Godley, the county's director of emergency management.

He cited watershed protection, debris management and coordinating assistance to small businesses and individuals as areas being focused on.

The county is also opening local assistance centers in Healdsburg and Guerneville, which, along with Rio Nido, have been most threatened by the blaze.

"Those are going to be primary points for us to work through what are the state and federal resources that we can support people with," said Supervisor James Gore. "Recovery starts today."

The Walbridge Fire is part of the LNU Lightning Complex fires, which are burning in Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Solano and Yolo counties. The fire has consumed 347,360 acres, destroyed 871 homes and other buildings, and threatens another 30,500. It is 22 percent contained as of Monday morning.

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