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Walbridge fire flare-up: Mandatory evacuation ordered in Sonoma County, police going door to door to alert residents

The forecasted dry and windy conditions are going to impact around 22 counties in California and thousands of people in the North Bay area will not have power for around 36 to 48 hours

A flareup on the Walbridge fire on September 7 night has resulted in the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office issuing new evacuation orders and warnings for residents living closeby. 

It has been reported that the flareup is near Westside Road and Sweetwater Springs Road, which is the county's fire and ambulance dispatch center, Redcom revealed. According to a Cal Fire notice, firefighters had also stopped forward progress on the spot as of 10 pm on September 7. 

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office made an announcement ordering all residents south of Mill Creek Road, north of Sweetwater Springs Road, west of Westside Road and east of Palmer Creek Road to evacuate and leave their homes immediately, Press Democrat reported. The area is known as Zone 2E4 in the country's evacuation zone map. The Sheriff's Office also revealed that an evacuation warning has been put in place for Zone 1D5 which is north of the Russian River, east of Armstrong Woods Road and south of Sweetwater Springs Road.

The North Bay as well as other sections of the Bay area have been warned to prepare for major gusts of wind overnight on September 8, which will likely continue till September 9. The forecasted dry and windy conditions are going to impact around 22 counties in California, Bay City News reported. It is also said that thousands of people in the North Bay area will not have power for around 36 to 48 hours, PG&E has estimated. Around 17,000 customers have been warned that there could be Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) starting at around 11 pm on September 7 and going into September 9 evening.

Sheriff's officials have been asking residents to tell their neighbors about the order. First responders have been going door to door to let residents know about it and to fasten the evacuation process. Residents have been encouraged to follow all burn bans which are in effect. 

According to weather forecasters, "Critical fire weather conditions are likely to develop across the region leading to rapid rates of spread for any new fire start. Wind gusts of between 25 and 35 mph are likely in the hills of the North and East Bay late Monday night and Tuesday morning, with gusts of 45 to 65 mph possible across northern Napa and northeast Sonoma counties," CBS local reports.

Many social media users thanked the police department for their efforts. One user wrote, "Sending abundance of prayers for all in the path. Be Safe... Blessings." Another user commented and said, "The people who live here know their zones. I even got a postcard for mine. So. Thank you sherriff we lerv you. everyone else."

"Dear God, make it STOP, and strengthen and keep safe our firefighters," commented yet another user. Another Twitter user wrote, "It might look worse than it is. I think the time lapse is accelerated. But the wind is coming."

Call (707) 861-0699 for help with evacuating animals. Call (707) 234-7193 for help with evacuation livestock.