Walbridge Fire Update 5PM Saturday

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Walbridge Update 5PM Saturday
Approximately 50 K Acres, 0% Containment

WALBRIDGE BEHAVIOR

According to a 4PM briefing by Cal Fire, the Walbridge Fire was relatively quiet today, but continued to burn in a generally northern and easterly direction. Outer edges of the fire were active according to Cal Fire Chief Ben Nicholls, but not make significant progress. A shift in winds to southerly began to push activity to the north and east, and a big priority will continue to be to hold fire lines that have been established with dozers and retardant drops in the Chemise, Big Ridge and Warm Springs Dam area. Crews on the NE perimeter of the fire reported progress building dozer lines and generally moderate fire behavior compared to Friday. Aerial tankers that had been grounded most of the day due to an inversion holding smoke near the surface began flying over the NE sector of the Walbridge again at around 4PM according to Cal Fire.

SOUTHERN EDGE NEAR GUERNEVILLE

According to Cal Fire, a shift to southerly winds had a “backing” effect on the fire, slowing its progress south and blowing it back upon itself. The backing winds sent smoke to the north, and the fire was mostly not making significant progress south. This is good news for crews who are working to establish containment lines on the ridge north of Rio Nido, Hacienda, Guerneville, Guernewood and Forestvile. This is along and near Pool Ridge Road, Sweetwater Road, and Mt. Jackson Road.

EASTERN EDGE

Along with the northeastern area of the fire west of the northern Dry Creek Valley, this is the area of greatest immediate concern. Over much of this area activity was moderate on Saturday, giving crews the chance to shore up fire lines.

Winds from the southwest have the potential to push the fire to the east or northeast, possibly helping the fire advance down the canyons that lie directly west of Westside and West Dry Creek Roads such as Mill Canyon and Fox Canyon (Felta Creek), and in the Chemise Road and Big Ridge areas west of the Lambert Bridge area.

WEATHER OUTLOOK

Generally south or southwest winds and a weak marine push will continue. The marine layer will be compressed as high pressure begins nosing back into Northern California. Beginning Sunday morning but most importantly Sunday night into Monday there is the potential for high based thunderstorms and dry lightning. The biggest danger according to NWS and Cal Fire is erratic winds. These, if they develop, could drive fires in unpredicable ways.

The NWS says however that for several reasons, this upcoming event is not expected to be as severe, or feature as intense storms, as the last event that brought our lightning caused fires.

ADDITIONAL FIRE RESOURCES

Additional fire resources have been arriving in Sonoma County for the past 24-48 hours as crews are taken off other fires. As of late Saturday there were 51 engines, 12 water tenders, and 23 bulldozers working the fire according to Cal Fire. Although these resources continue to improve, they are still low for a fire of this size according to Cal Fire. The Walbridge is still completing for resources with other large blazes in the Bay Area and Northern California, including fires near Lake Berryessa that have been flaring and moving into Lake County.