Full Breakdown
Woodside Fire Engulfs Sonoma Coast, Prompting Evacuations and Highway Closure
7/31/2026, 12:42:23 PM
Core Event: Wildfire Ignites Near Timber Cove
On July 30, 2026, a wildfire was first reported at 1:43 p.m. near the Woodside Campground entrance in Salt Point State Park, along Highway 1. The blaze, dubbed the Woodside Fire, raced through dense forest on the west side of the highway and burned toward the ocean. By 5:30 p.m. Cal Fire mapped the fire at roughly 75 acres; later updates placed the perimeter at about 143 acres. Containment stood at 20 percent as of 11:15 p.m. that night. No injuries or structural damage were reported.
Data & Statistics
- Acres burned: 75 acres (initial) vs. 143 acres (updated).
- Containment: 20 percent (Cal Fire, 11:15 p.m.).
- Resources: 320 personnel, four helicopters, 32 engines, five dozers, four water tenders, 14 crews.
- Evacuation zones:
- SON-1D1 – 350 households (Timber Cove, Walsh Landing, Seaview, Stump Beach, Salt Point State Park).
- SON-1D2 – 265 households (Table Mountain, Toners Place, Goat Rock).
- Air-quality alerts: Spare the Air advisory for Sonoma and Marin counties; BAAQMD extended the alert through July 31.
Official Statements & Responses
Cal Fire’s Lake-Sonoma-Napa Unit spokesman Tyree Zander said winds were dying down Thursday night, improving visibility for crews, and noted the cause remains under investigation. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office coordinated evacuations and opened a temporary shelter at Laguna High School in Forestville. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District warned that “conditions can change rapidly and the amount and location of smoke at ground level is hard to predict,” urging residents to stay indoors with windows and doors closed. The National Weather Service forecast northwest winds of 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph for Friday and the weekend, sustaining smoke transport across the North Bay.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents of Timber Cove, the Woodside and Gerstle Cove campgrounds, and Ocean Cove Campground were evacuated. Highway 1 was closed between Stewarts Point and Timber Cove, cutting the region’s main coastal artery. Smoke drifted into Sonoma and Marin counties, prompting air-quality advisories that classified conditions as “very unhealthy” to “hazardous.” Emergency radio traffic indicated the fire may have originated about 100 feet from a campsite in the Gerstle Cove area.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Press Democrat’s early mapping listed the perimeter at 75 acres, while its later update and Kron4 reported approximately 143 acres. Both outlets agree on 20 percent containment and the absence of injuries; the precise acreage remains unsettled pending final assessment.
Verbatim Quotes
What’s Next
Cal Fire expects additional aerial resources, including Fire Hawk helicopters, to join nighttime operations. Forecasted winds are expected to persist through the weekend, potentially influencing fire spread and smoke dispersion. Authorities will continue monitoring air-quality impacts and updating evacuation guidance as containment efforts progress.
