A suspected arsonist had firefighters chasing down small blazes all around Healdsburg on Monday, putting residents and firefighters both on edge for hours amid continued dry conditions.
It's not clear where or when the first of the rash of fires began, but a total of 15 blazes broke out in different, remote locations around the outskirts of Healdsburg. The fires were all contained before midnight on Monday, according to state Senator Mike McGuire, who had been warning residents during the day to remain vigilant and be on the lookout for fire starts.
According to CA Fire Scanner, there were seven fires burning as of 9:15 p.m., and the number rose from there.
Cal Fire crews ended up joining local firefighters to battle the blazes, and Cal Fire was expected to give a statement on these fires on Tuesday. No homes or structures were damaged in any of the fires.
As KTVU reports, one of the fires was set in the forest along Mill Creek Road, near the area where the Walbridge Fire burned last year.
Local videographer Kent Porter posted footage and photos of the fires, saying that the largest of the blazes grew to about two acres.
10-12 road side brush fires were doused in the Healdsburg area late Monday evening, some as big as two acres, some smaller than 1/8 of an acre. All the fires are under investigation. @NorthBayNews @CALFIRELNU @NoSoCoFire @SoCoFireDist @HealdsburgFire pic.twitter.com/qeHOoCfMW3
— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) September 7, 2021
Multiple, as many as eight different brush fires in the Healdsburg area Monday night, ongoing. Largest one about 1.5 acres.@NorthBayNews pic.twitter.com/QIbT7AZEDT
— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) September 7, 2021
"We owe MAJOR gratitude to the firefighters in Sonoma County tonight — literally being everywhere at once," McGuire wrote on Twitter. "Local agencies along with CalFire are staged in the Healdsburg area, prepared to jump on any new fire starts."
We owe MAJOR gratitude to the firefighters in Sonoma County tonight - literally being everywhere at once.
— Mike McGuire (@ilike_mike) September 7, 2021
Local agencies along with CalFire are staged in the Healdsburg area, prepared to jump on any new fire starts.
Please remain vigilant. https://t.co/TV7CbVzjpw
The Chronicle reported, via McGuire, that the suspicious blazes totaled 15, but Cal Fire officials said on Twitter "A more accurate number of fires will be determined during the daylight hours."
Law enforcement is asking anyone with security or wildlife cameras in the areas of the fires to check their footage for any suspicious activity. Anyone with information about the fires should call the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office at 707-565-2121.
No suspects have been identified or arrested.
Photo: Guido Jansen
