SONOMA VALLEY, Sonoma County — October 27, 2026. California State Parks is planning prescribed burns at two Sonoma Valley locations on weekdays October 27–30, depending on weather and air-quality conditions. Residents and park visitors could see smoke, crews and temporary trail closures, but a scheduled burn is not the same as an uncontrolled wildfire.
State Parks identifies two possible locations: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and the former Sonoma Developmental Center open space adjacent to Jack London State Historic Park. The Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative is helping coordinate the work.
When could smoke appear?
The agency says smoke may be visible between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on burn days, with limited residual smoke potentially visible for up to two days afterward. Burns are conditional: if winds, weather or smoke-dispersion conditions are unsuitable, operations will be rescheduled. A planned October 27–30 window does not mean crews will ignite every location on every day.
Are state parks and campgrounds closing?
According to State Parks, parklands, campgrounds and public-use areas will generally remain open. Some nearby roads and trails can close for one to three days during and shortly after a burn. Visitors should follow on-site signs, keep away from operations and consult park-specific notices before hiking.
The state says the work is intended to reduce vegetation along important fire roads and improve grassland habitat by reducing invasive plants. The effort is coordinated with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
When should residents call emergency services?
Officials ask people not to call 911 solely to report smoke already identified as part of the announced burn, because this could overwhelm dispatchers. However, if you see an apparent uncontrolled fire, immediate danger, injuries or another genuine emergency, call 911. Those situations should not be dismissed simply because planned burn operations were announced nearby.
Other prescribed burns in Sonoma County
California58 has separately reported on Salt Point State Park’s October 26–28 burn planning and Prairie Trail impacts on the coast. The Sonoma Valley operations in this story involve different locations and a different notice, not a second version of that report.
Official information: California State Parks prescribed-burn announcement and park-specific links. Local conditions can change quickly; verify the current notices before visiting.
Help this community newspaper grow
Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.
Donate once by card ↗Support Sonoma News
Choose how to support Sonoma News:
Credit / Debit Card via StripeChoose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.
Continue with PayPal Continue with ZelleZelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.
Optional reader support. When possible, add “Sonoma News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.
COMMUNITY
Comments
Join the California58 conversation. You must be signed in to comment.
Create a free California58 account or sign in with an available social provider.