Wildfire Ready: Finding Accurate Information About Fires
As we move into fall, wildfire risks tend to increase. We want to remind you how to stay informed about fire activity in and around Santa Rosa using trusted sources.
Last month, the Pickett Fire in Calistoga created a large column of smoke visible from Sonoma County. Our 911 centers were flooded with calls from residents reporting the smoke and asking for updates. The Santa Rosa Fire Department responded by sending CivicReady alerts and posting updates on social media. They confirmed the fire was near Calistoga and not a threat to Santa Rosa. Please remember—911 should only be used for life-threatening emergencies.
Fires happen locally throughout the year, and many are quickly contained. Not every fire needs a public alert. However, when people see or smell smoke or hear sirens, it’s natural to wonder, “Where’s the fire?” To help answer that, the Santa Rosa Fire Department provides a “Live Events” list at the bottom of their website. It shows all fire-related incidents from the past 48 hours and updates in real time, plus social media feeds for those who don’t use apps. The County of Sonoma’s fire incident map also shows fires throughout the county and in nearby counties.
We encourage everyone to sign up for CivicReady alerts. These messages go directly to your phone or email. The Santa Rosa Fire and Police Departments use CivicReady to share updates, follow up on SoCoAlerts, and provide information during emergencies.
Follow the Santa Rosa Fire and Police Departments on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) for updates, including fires outside the city that may produce smoke.
We recommend you bookmark SRCity.org/Go, which offers quick access to essential information during an emergency.
For official information outside Santa Rosa, visit Sonoma County’s emergency website, or Sonoma County Fire District’s webpage. For a broader view across California, the CAL FIRE incident map tracks major fires and their status.
By using these resources, we can all stay informed and help keep 911 lines open for true emergencies. Let’s work together to stay safe and stay prepared during wildfire season.
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