A prescribed burn is scheduled for October 29 in Sonoma Valley

A smoke advisory was issued ahead of a prescribed burn in Sonoma Valley on Tuesday, Oct. 29, according to city officials.

On Tuesday, the Sonoma Valley Fire District will conduct a prescribed burn on approximately 18 acres of private property along Hawkes Beard Road at Grove Street in the George Ranch Area. This fire is part of ongoing fire suppression efforts to create a fire protection zone between Grove Street and the George Ranch community.

Tuesday's fire is expected to last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with smoke likely visible throughout the day, particularly along Highway 12 and Arnold Drive in Sonoma. As the fire is being closely monitored, community members are asked not to call 911 to report smoke or flames in the area.

As part of this prescribed fire operation, a special red and black Sonoma County Fire District helicopter will be on scene with a water bucket to provide air support and practice response techniques. Crews will remain on scene to monitor and combat the fire until it is fully extinguished.

The State Parks Department and Cal Fire recommend that people who may be particularly sensitive to changes in air quality and who smoke, such as children, older adults or those with breathing difficulties, stay indoors if possible or consider using air filters if necessary.

Prescribed fires or burns are methods used by state and county officials to reduce the risk and intensity of potential wildfires by intentionally burning areas with a lot of vegetation or conditions that would increase the likelihood or severity of future fires. Prescribed fires also produce less smoke than wildfires.

Prescribed fires are planned and coordinated with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to reduce potential smoke or air quality disturbances and to ensure that the prescribed fire can be safely monitored.

Residents can stay up to date on fire news by using the Watch Duty app or following Cal Fire LNU on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Reach Staff Writer Isabel Beer at 707-933-2734 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @IsabelSongBeer