Friday, 17 July 2026, 6:54
Two wildfires erupted in Northern California's wine country on Monday, July 13, 2026, as a heat advisory loomed. The Ledson Fire near Santa Rosa and the Hardin Fire in Pope Valley collectively burned nearly 100 acres, but crews quickly gained control.
The Ledson Fire started at about 1:02 p.m. along Highway 12 and North Pythian Road, east of Santa Rosa. By 1:42 p.m., it was approximately 10 acres burning at a moderate rate of spread in grass and timber. By 2:02 p.m., it had grown to 13.8 acres, eventually reaching 16.5 acres by evening, according to Cal Fire. Later reports updated the acreage to 17 acres. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order for hundreds of residents in Zone SON-3H3, which was later downgraded to a warning and then lifted. The evacuation warning area was north of Wildwood Trail and Wildwood Mountain Road, south of Timberline Drive, east of Los Alamos Road, and west of the Napa County line and Hood Mountain Regional Park. Aircraft, bulldozers, and hand crews worked in steep terrain, dropping retardant and building containment lines. The fire burned through dry grass, oak woodland, and brush. By 2:50 p.m., firefighters were making good progress, with the fire holding within retardant lines and dozer lines nearly tied in around the perimeter. By 3:17 p.m., forward progress was stopped and the fire was 10% contained. One helicopter remained on scene supporting ground resources with water drops. By 5:29 p.m., the evacuation order was downgraded to a warning, and Pythian Road was reopened. By 8:12 p.m., containment reached 35%, and the evacuation warning was lifted. Additional mapping confirmed the fire burned 16.5 acres. CAL FIRE had four engines and one hand crew remain on the fire overnight, continuing to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots. By the morning of July 14, containment increased to 45%, with the fire held within established control lines overnight. Firefighters continued with extensive mop-up operations, working through heavy concentrations of dead and downed trees left by the 2017 Nuns Fire and 2020 Glass Fire. CAL FIRE had approximately 40 total personnel assigned on Tuesday, including five engines, one hand crew, and one water tender. Crews expected suppression and mop-up efforts to continue over the next several days. "Air and ground resources are making progress working in steep terrain," a post from the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit account on X stated. "The fire is burning light and flashy fuels, oak woodland and brush." Four engines and a hand crew were expected to remain overnight to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots, Cal Fire said. The fire initially spread through grass at a moderate rate, and aircraft dropped fire retardant while crews worked to reach the flames from the ground. The National Weather Service forecast widespread highs in the 90s, with some locations reaching the low 100s. The advisory was scheduled to remain in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
By Tuesday evening, July 14, firefighters had increased containment to 65 percent. Two engines and one water tender remained on the fire overnight, with additional resources scheduled for Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, July 15, Cal Fire reported significant progress, with crews remaining on scene until the fire is fully contained and all remaining hot spots are secured. By Wednesday evening, July 15, the Ledson Fire reached 90% containment. On Thursday morning, July 16, containment increased to 95%, with three engines and one hand crew continuing to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots.
About 25 miles southwest, the Hardin Fire ignited at 2:40 p.m. near Hardin and Pope Canyon roads in Pope Valley. It burned 79 acres before forward progress was stopped, reaching 60% containment by Monday night. No evacuation orders were issued.
Both fires erupted in Sonoma and Napa counties, core regions of California's wine country. The Ledson Fire threatened wineries like St. Francis and Ledson, as well as the historic William Hood House. The fires preceded a heat advisory for the North Bay, with highs expected in the 90s and low 100s.
California's wildfire season has grown increasingly severe, with Sonoma County experiencing major fires like the 2017 Tubbs Fire and 2020 Glass Fire. The Ledson and Hardin fires underscore ongoing risks in wildland-urban interface areas.
Firefighters contained both fires swiftly, preventing structural damage and injuries. Residents should stay vigilant as heat and dry conditions persist.
