Sonoma Valley Fire District will conduct an 18-acre controlled burn on Tuesday, October 29, on private property along Hawks Beard Road in the George Ranch area off Grove Street. This burn is part of ongoing fire prevention efforts to reduce grasses and surface fuels and create a buffer area between Grove Street and the George Ranch community.
The burn is fully permitted, and we ask that people avoid calling 9-1-1 to report smoke or flames in the area, as crews will be actively monitoring.
Burn Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 29
- Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Location: Private property on Hawks Beard Road
- Smoke and Traffic: Smoke will likely be visible in the Sonoma Valley area, especially along Sonoma Hwy 12 and Arnold Drive. Folks in Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Kenwood, Glen Ellen, and Sonoma may smell or see smoke throughout the day.
Health Tips:
People in sensitive groups—like children, seniors, or anyone with breathing issues—may want to limit outdoor activities and consider using air filters if smoke impacts the air quality.
What to Know:
- The burn may be rescheduled if the weather changes.
- Stay up-to-date by following the Watch Duty app (@watchdutyapp) for notifications and updates.
This controlled burn is being conducted by Sonoma Valley Fire District (@svfd_33) with support from Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Fire Forward program (@fire.forward). As part of this operation, a red and black helicopter from Sonoma County Fire District will be in the area with a water bucket, providing air support and practicing response techniques. Crews will continue to monitor and manage the area until all fire is safely extinguished.
Photo Credit: A similar oak grassland burn, captured by Sashwa Burrous.