Return of the smoky skies
Wildfires burning in neighboring Napa and Sonoma counties are drawing smoke and haze into Solano County.
(A tower camera captures a hazy sky above the city of Vacaville on Monday, September 28, 2020. Photo courtesy Alert Wildfire / Pacific Gas & Electric Company/Nevada Seismological Laboratory)
Several wildfires burning in Northern California are sending smoke into Solano County, bringing a return to hazy conditions and poor air quality throughout the area.
Fire officials say there is no threat to Solano County from a series of wildfires burning in neighboring Napa and Sonoma counties, though wind will continue to bring smoke, ash and haze into the area for at least another day and possibly longer as firefighters struggle to gain an upper hand against the flames there.
Crews from throughout Solano County have been dispatched to provide mutual assistance to firefighters and public safety personnel battling the Glass Fire in Napa County and the Shady Fire near Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. Both fires have forced the evacuation of around 60,000 residents.
As of Monday evening, those two fires and another had burned a combined 36,000 acres, though that number is expected to sharply increase in the coming hours and days. Firefighters have struggled to build a containment line around the blaze.
A fire official told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper that there were “significant losses” to homes and businesses in the eastern portion of the city, including the Oakmont community that was earlier thought to be spared.
The fire started during a Red Flag Warning that was issued by the National Weather Service over the weekend. Forecasters were concerned that gusty wind, low humidity and hot temperatures would combine to create dangerous conditions that would allow wildfires to start quickly and spread rapidly.
The Red Flag Warning covers Solano County except for the city of Vallejo and lasts until Monday at 9 p.m. Though the warning is expected to end, forecasters say haze and smoke could linger in the area through the rest of the week.
Alert Solano
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department is requesting members of the community sign up for Alert Solano, a free service that offers real-time public safety alerts, including evacuation notices, severe weather, road closures/openings and other critical information. These alerts are delivered by phone call, text messages and/or email messages based on your preference.
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