Fire History
Sonoma County was the epicenter of California's 2017 Wine Country fires. The Tubbs Fire (36,807 acres) started near Calistoga and reached the Santa Rosa city limits within hours, destroying over 5,000 structures and killing 22 people. The 2019 Kincade Fire (77,758 acres) was the largest in county history. The 2020 Glass and Walbridge fires added to the region's cumulative fire impact. Sonoma County's combination of dry coastal conditions, Diablo wind exposure, and dense residential development in the WUI makes it one of the state's highest-risk counties.
Local Compliance Notes
CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit serves unincorporated SRA areas. Communities in the Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Valley, Russian River watershed, and areas east of Healdsburg face significant Zone Zero obligations. Given the county's recent fire history and the density of affected properties, contractor availability for Zone Zero work will be competitive. Begin assessments early.
Neighborhoods in Zone Zero
High-FHSZ communities in Sonoma County include Fountaingrove, Larkfield-Wikiup, Mark West Springs, Calistoga area, Geyserville, Healdsburg foothills, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Occidental, Sebastopol foothills, Sonoma Valley foothills, and communities in the Mayacamas Mountains.
Local FAQs
Are communities in the Tubbs or Kincade fire areas subject to Zone Zero? Yes — these areas are in Very High FHSZ and Zone Zero requirements apply fully. Properties that have been rebuilt since 2017 should already have Zone Zero-compliant new construction. Neighboring properties that did not burn still need to come into compliance under Phase 1 and Phase 2 timelines.