A Wildfire Called the Ledson Fire Is Making People Leave Their Homes

What Is Happening? (The Fire Starts)

On Monday afternoon, a big uncontrolled nature fire (called a wildfire) broke out in the mountains just east of the city of Santa Rosa.

Here is the step-by-step of what we know so far:

1. Around 1 p.m., the fire began near a road called Pythian Road.
2. It was named the Ledson Fire.
3. The location is at the northern end of Sonoma Valley, on the western side of the Maycacamas Mountains (these are the big hills that act like a wall dividing Sonoma and Napa counties).
4. Fire experts from Cal Fire (the team that puts out California wildfires) quickly measured it.

(Note: The original news report also included a video showing the fire so people could see what was happening.)

How Big Is the Fire and How Is It Moving?

Cal Fire says the fire is currently about 13 acres big. To picture this, think of about 13 fields (a bit bigger than a football field each).

• It is spreading at a moderate (medium) speed.
• It is moving uphill, heading east.
• The weather at the time was a light breeze and temperatures around 90°F (which is quite warm).

The fire is what experts call "slope-driven." In simple words, this means the fire is climbing the hill, and the hill’s shape is helping the flames move forward.

Important Point: The Ledson Fire is burning in the exact same area as two massive older fires — the 2017 Nuns Fire and the 2020 Glass Fire!

Who Needs to Leave Right Now? (Evacuation Order)

An evacuation order (a serious instruction to leave your home to be safe) has been given for a specific area:

Emergency Zone: SON-3H1 – Southern Alpine Valley
This zone includes these places:

• South Timberland Drive
• The area east of Los Alamos Road
• The area west of the Napa County line
• Hood Mountain Regional Park

Authorities have advised everyone in this zone to leave immediately.

Should People in the City Worry?

If you are in the city of Santa Rosa, here is what officials say:

• You might see smoke in the sky over the city.
• However, there is no threat to the city itself, and no evacuation orders are in place there.
• The smoke can even be seen far to the west in a town called Sebastopol.

Help Is on the Way

Good news: help arrived fast!

• Fire trucks and firefighters were quickly on the scene.
• More support from the air (like planes) and the ground is on the way.
• Jason Clay, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, shared this update with the public.

What Is the Weather Like for the Firefighters?

The weather is a mixed bag (some good, some bad) for the people fighting the fire:

• Hot and Dry: Temperatures are in the low 90s°F. A "heat advisory" (a warning that it will be dangerously hot) is expected to start Tuesday morning, according to Brian Garcia, a weather scientist (meteorologist) at the National Weather Service.
• Light Winds (The Good Part): Even though it is hot and dry, the wind is very calm—blowing at just 4 to 5 miles per hour, with tiny gusts up to 8 miles per hour. This low wind helps firefighters because the fire won’t spread wildly from gusts.
• Warm Nights: The weather service says overnight temperatures will stay higher than normal. This is because of "monsoon moisture" (wet, sticky air from far-away rainy areas) that is flattening the usual temperature drop at night.

Summary

A new wildfire called the Ledson Fire started east of Santa Rosa on Monday afternoon near Pythian Road. It is about 13 acres and climbing uphill at a moderate speed in the Maycacamas Mountains. People in the Southern Alpine Valley zone (SON-3H1) must leave immediately, but the city of Santa Rosa is safe from the flames. Firefighters are already there, and the light winds are making their job a bit easier despite the heat. Because this is a developing story, more updates will come.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the Ledson Fire?
It is the name given to the new wildfire that erupted around 1 p.m. on Monday in the mountains east of Santa Rosa, near Pythian Road.

2. Do I need to evacuate if I live in Santa Rosa city?
No. Officials have confirmed that while smoke is visible, the city of Santa Rosa is not in danger, and no evacuation orders have been given for the city.

3. Why is the fire spreading uphill?
Fires naturally climb hills because heat rises. Experts call this "slope-driven." The Ledson Fire is moving east up the Maycacamas Mountains.

4. Is the weather helping or hurting the firefighters?
The hot, dry heat makes fire danger higher, but the very light and slow winds (4-5 mph) are helping firefighters because the flames aren’t being blown around fast.

5. Has this area burned before?
Yes. The fire is burning in the footprint of two past huge wildfires: the 2017 Nuns Fire and the 2020 Glass Fire.