Point Fire Latest: Homes Confirmed Lost, Damage Assessment Continues

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Officials confirmed two residential structures were destroyed in the Point Fire in northern Sonoma County. Damage inspection assessments continued on the wildfire which was 1,207 acres and holding at 20 percent containment Monday evening.

Officials also confirmed one firefighter was hospitalized after suffering an injury overnight Sunday into Monday. The firefighter was being evaluated at a hospital for a non-burn, non-life-threatening injury, Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said.

The Point Fire broke out around 12:30 p.m. Sunday on Stewarts Point Skaggs Springs Road northwest of Healdsburg and spread west of Dry Creek Road near the southeast region of Lake Sonoma.

By 5 p.m. Sunday, the blaze was 150 acres and by 8:30 p.m., it spread to over 900 acres. Crews worked overnight Sunday into Monday, battling the blaze from the ground and the air, officials said.

Three helicopters conducted aerial night firefighting operations to support the resources on the ground. Working under favorable conditions, crews overnight continued building and strengthening control lines.

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Monday evening, Zone SON-2E2 remained under mandatory evacuation, while Zone SON-2E3 was still under an evacuation warning. Socoemergency.org is the site to watch for information on evacuations.

Ground resources committed Monday to the wildfire included 50 engines, 12 hand crews, 10 dozers and 10 water tenders. Additionally, four type-1 helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft have been ordered. The total number of personnel assigned Monday to the fire was approximately 400.

The City of Healdsburg Fire Department has sent multiple engines to assist in the firefight. City officials said the Fire Department maintains normal staffing in town.

Ben Nichols, division chief of Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit, said fire activity subsided overnight allowing resources to consolidate ground held during the firefight Sunday.

"Resources on the west portion of the fire were building and strengthening control lines overnight," Nichols said in an update. "With the ultimate goal of tying into the valley this coming operational shift, crews are actively engaged in tactical patrol in and around the structures to ensure no additional structures are damaged or destroyed by the forefront."

Winds were forecast to be lighter than the winds experienced Sunday, Nichols said, which should allow the resources assigned Monday to build and strengthen the control lines put in place Sunday, as well as continue tactical patrol and mop-up operations in and around the structures impacted Sunday.

For Tuesday's operation, Cal Fire was planning to keep the same resources as Monday committed. Crews will work to reinforce containment lines and conduct heavy mop-up operations.

The blaze broke out amid a red flag warning Sunday and firefighters faced similar conditions Monday.

The National Weather Service forecasts calmer winds over the next few days but expects wind gusts to increase to 30-40 mph Saturday through Monday, potentially higher in complex terrain.

"The potential for mostly grass fires will increase. Be sure to do your part to help diminish the potential for a human-caused start," the weather service said.

Lake Sonoma remained open and visitors were asked to stay vigilant to changing conditions of the fire and emergency vehicles operating in the area.

"There is limited access in and out of the area so please stay alert," the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.

The Sheriff's Office was in unified command Cooperating agencies included: Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, Sonoma County Fire District, Cloverdale Fire Protection District, Santa Rosa Fire Department, Healdsburg Fire Department, Graton Fire Department, Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, Sonoma Valley Fire Protection District, Rancho Adobe Fire District, Sebastopol Fire Department, Schell-Vista Fire Protection District, Monte Rio Fire Protection District, Napa County Fire Department, Cazadero Fire Department, Rohnert Park Fire Department, Petaluma Fire Department, Dry Creek Rancheria Fire Department, Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management, Army Corps of Engineers, California Highway Patrol and Sonoma County Property Infrastructure.