Bodega Bay Controlled Burn Sent Smoke Across Sonoma County. Here's What to Know as Burn Season Continues

If you saw or smelled smoke in western Sonoma County this week, it most likely came from a fire set on purpose. Crews ran a prescribed burn near Bodega Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and the smoke was heavy enough that the county health officer issued an air quality advisory the same day.

Where the burn was

Sonoma County Regional Parks, working with Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit and the Sonoma County Fire District, planned the burn at Carrington Coast Ranch Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, between Coleman Valley Road and the Salmon Creek Estuary, east of Highway 1. The park is not yet open to the public. Regional Parks said ignitions could begin as early as 8 a.m. and asked people not to call 911 to report the smoke.

The parks department says prescribed burns must meet strict rules on weather, smoke management and fire safety, and that this one was coordinated with the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District. Planned dates can change at the last minute if conditions are not right.

What the health advisory said

The county health officer warned that parts of western and central Sonoma County could see air rated anywhere from "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" to "Hazardous," and noted that the week's high temperatures can make poor air quality worse. The City of Sonoma said smoke forecast models showed some smoke could drift into Sonoma Valley and urged residents to watch conditions and take precautions if they saw or smelled smoke.

People with heart or lung conditions, older adults, children and pregnant people are generally most sensitive to smoke. On bad air days, health officials typically advise limiting strenuous outdoor activity, keeping windows closed, and using a well-fitting N95 mask if you need to be outside.

More burns possible

Fire officials emphasized there was no emergency. The Sonoma Tribune, citing the Sebastopol Times, reported that more prescribed burns were scheduled this week at Jenner Headlands and Salt Point State Park, depending on the weather. Regional Parks posts updates on its burns at SoCoParks.org/Fire.