🌱 Healdsburg Fire Recap, Season Preview + Plaza Steakhouse Now Open

Hey, y'all — I'm back from vacation and immersing myself in everything that's been happening in Healdsburg while I was gone. Looks like it was a busy week! Today's newsletter includes updates on:

• The new steakhouse that just opened on the plaza
• The big fire yesterday at the north end of town
• Some predictions from local fire officials about the rest of the 2023 fire season
• And more...

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Mix of sun and clouds. High: 82 Low: 52.
• Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds again. High: 87 Low: 56.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and windy. High: 84 Low: 55.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. As I'm sure you've all heard by now, there was a scary grass fire yesterday at the north end of Healdsburg that shut down the 101 in both directions. Firefighters from the Healdsburg Fire Department and Cal Fire jumped right on it, though, and were able to contain it at around 12 acres within just an hour or two. The Northern Sonoma County Fire District, the Sonoma County Fire District and the Dry Creek Rancheria Fire Department reportedly assisted as well. Yesterday's fire — named the "Healdsburg Fire" — broke out shortly before 2:30 p.m. in the 16900 block of Healdsburg Avenue, a big grassy area near the Montage resort, according to Cal Fire. It quickly spread to more than an acre on the east side of the 101 and hopped the freeway, prompting officials to shut down all lanes between the Lytton Springs and Dry Creek exits for around 15 minutes. They stamped out the fire soon after, just before 4 p.m. "We’re grateful to report no injuries and no structural damages," the Healdsburg Fire Department posted afterward. "The fire impacted a total of 12.2 acres, with the cause currently under investigation. Stay safe everyone!" According to the Press Democrat, the fire did briefly "threaten a nearby homeless encampment." More details from the PD: "At the height of the fire, about 12 fire trucks from Cal Fire and neighboring fire agencies and about six aircraft, including helicopters, responded to the fire. ... [Chief Marshall Turbeville] said a fire line that had been cut west of the highway near the Cal Fire station helped stop the fire from continuing to burn west. Crews were staying at the scene for an additional four to six hours extinguishing any hot spots and mopping up. Drivers were advised to remain alert for firefighters working on the edge of the road, he said. The fire is suspected to have started on a property under development at the north end of Healdsburg city limits where workers were cutting down and mowing vegetation, Boaz said, but the cause remains under investigation." Sounds like that would have been at the North Village development across from the Montage, where they're building a new foodie-focused hotel, a Zen senior center and a shopping "promenade." (Healdsburg Patch & Facebook Groups & CAL FIRE via Facebook & Healdsburg Fire Department via Facebook & The North Village & Press Democrat; paywall)

2. Speaking of the 2023 fire season! The Sonoma County Gazette just put together a great compilation of predictions from local fire chiefs in Healdsburg and environs. Here are some insights from the Healdsburg Fire Department's division chief and fire marshal, Lance MacDonald. Question: "How might January’s winter rains affect the 2023 fire season?" Answer: “It can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can saturate the soil and allow vegetation to flourish, which may initially decrease fire risk. However, if this vegetation dries out during the hot summer months, it can potentially increase the amount of burnable material available, thereby escalating fire risk.” Question: "What is your outlook for the 2023 fire season?" Answer: "Predicting weather patterns, which greatly influence fire behavior, is notoriously challenging. However, what we do understand is that the density of receptive fuel beds is expected to be slightly higher this year compared to prior years.” Question: "Are there any hot spots to watch this year in the county?" Answer: "It is important to remember the critical lessons we've learned from fires like the Tubbs fire. These incidents underline the unfortunate truth that under certain adverse weather conditions, every structure potentially becomes a hotspot." Question: "What is the one step you’d like to see residents take this year toward fire preparation?" Answer: “Ensuring the first 0 to 10 feet from your home is free of combustible materials can be a game-changer. This zone is crucial because it's where embers can fall or be blown by the wind, potentially igniting your home. By keeping this space free of combustibles, residents significantly reduce the chances of a fire reaching their homes.” Click through for more thoughts on the 2023 season from Chief Marshall Turbeville, whose agency protects Healdsburg's more rural parts, and others. (Sonoma County Gazette)
3. Bill Foley's new steakhouse on the plaza, called Goodnight's Prime Steak & Spirits, officially opens its doors today. They're now open for dinner every day except Sunday and Monday; you can make reservations on their website. The SF eater food blog just published the restaurant's full menu, which includes a bunch of fancy seafood items alongside five or six styles of steak. The head chef is London native David Lawrence, known for opening 1300 Fillmore and Black Bark BBQ in San Francisco. Here's some more info from the Eater story: "Lawrence is leaning into the classic, grilled dishes for which steakhouses are known — but with a few surprises — while also highlighting the freshness and seasonality of Sonoma. There’s barrel-cut filet mignon, as well as ribeye and New York strip options; but there’s also a chance to expand beyond that with Japanese A5 wagyu, plus a dry-aged tomahawk or bone-in ribeye if diners are looking to share. It’s all fitting for a restaurant named after Texan Charles Goodnight, known for (literally) blazing the Goodnight-Loving Trail from Texas to Wyoming as a cattleman. ... Much of the restaurant’s produce, meanwhile, is grown on a farm at Chalk Hill Estate Winery down the road, promising not only the freshest vegetables but also granting Lawrence the opportunity to work with farmers on producing specific crops such as a grilled rapini for a dish with nori salt. It’s a mix of dishes that is a 'nod to the past' but that Lawrence is making new all over again, in his own style, he says." (SF Eater & Goodnight's & Facebook Groups)

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Coming up in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, August 1

• Healdsburg Farmers Market on the Plaza (Weekly, 9AM-12:30PM)
• Healdsburg Unified School District Hosts "Support Days" for Families Who Need Assistance Filling Out Back-to-School Paperwork at the Elementary School's Fitch Mountain Campus Library (Aug. 1-2, 10AM-3PM)
• New Art Exhibit at the Upstairs Art Gallery: "Connected to Nature" by Carolyn Wilson (Aug. 1-27, 11AM-6PM)
• Healdsburg Library Book Club Meeting: "Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng (12PM)
• "Money Smart" School Supply Shopping Activity for Kids at the Healdsburg Library (12:30-2PM)
• Singer-Songwriter Ellie James Live at the Luther Burbank Center (5:30-7:30PM)
• "Tuesdays in the Plaza" Performance by Modern Blues Musician Eddie 9V (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts "Trail Sisters" Run at Shiloh Regional Park (6PM)
• Highway Poets Live at the Elephant in the Room (7:30-10:30PM)

Wednesday, August 2

• Food Distribution at the Healdsburg Senior Center (9:30-10AM)
• Sonoma County Government Hosts Free Online Workshop: "Thoughtful Electric Service Panel Optimization" (11AM-12:30PM)
• Korean Culture & Lotus Lantern Workshop for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (1PM)
• "Knits & Knots" at the Healdsburg Library: Learn How to Knit/Crochet With Experts From the Purls of Joy Co-Op (6PM)
• Healdsburg Prune Packers Baseball Team Plays Northern Division Playoff Game at Rec Park (6PM)
• Movie Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)

Thursday, August 3

• Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Hosts "Good Morning, Healdsburg!" Conversation With Zero Waste Sonoma's Executive Director, Leslie Lukacs (8-9AM)
• Gentle Yoga at the Healdsburg Senior Center (Weekly, Aug. 3-31, 10-10:45AM)
• "Money Smart" School Supply Shopping Activity for Kids at the Healdsburg Library (12:30-2PM)
• Locals/Industry Night at Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant (5-7PM)
• "Purple Teeth" Comedy Show at Furthermore Wines (7-9PM)
• Indie-Folk Singer-Songwriter Fairhazel Live at Little Saint (7-10PM)
• Raven Players Perform "Shakespeare in the Park" at West Plaza Park: "The Comedy of Errors" (Aug. 3-5, 7:30PM)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with another update!

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Patch newsletter? Contact me at [email protected]