Wildfires threaten homes

Heavy winds and hot weather kicked off a whopper of a start to Northern California’s fire season Thursday.

Five fires across Sonoma County burned 172.25 acres by mid-afternoon, the busiest start to a fire season CalFire officials could remember.

Causes for the biggest fires, the “Tar Fire” on Saint Helena Road and two fires named the “Geysers Fire” on Geysers Road, had not been determined Thursday evening. The blazes were less than 50 percent contained and crews were preparing to battle them into the night.

The fires caused some road closures and power outages, particularly in the Saint Helena Road neighborhood east of Santa Rosa and off Montecito Avenue.

“We’re really, really relieved the fire was as small as it was,” said Pat Gray, who prepared to evacuate from her Saint Helena Road home. “Big winds were blowing and we were all worried. There hasn’t been a fire here in 80 or 90 years so we were really concerned.”

The “Tar Fire” on Saint Helena Road east of Santa Rosa has burned more than 50 acres and is 50 percent contained, fire officials said.

Structures were being protected by local fire agencies, while 150 other firefighters fought the blaze.

Saint Helena Road is closed to all but residential traffic on both the Sonoma County and Napa County sides.

Three injuries due to heat exhaustion, heat cramps and a bee sting have been reported.

The primary “Geysers Fire” four miles up Geysers Road from Alexander Valley Road burned 50 acres. It is now 100 percent contained.

A secondary fire, started by the first fire, has burned about 70 additional acres and is 20 percent contained.

No structures were threatened in the area and no injuries were reported.

Three strike teams of engines, plus ten additional engines, four teams of on-the-ground firefighters, two additional crews, two bulldozers, two air tankers, one air attack plane and one helicopter are fighting to contain the secondary blaze.

The Salmon Creek Road Fire burned two acres for almost three hours, but did not result in any injuries or damages.

The Montecito Avenue Fire at Happy Valley Road burned 1/4 acre for almost three hours, fueled by heavy and erratic winds.

Firefighting crews protected nearby structures and none were damaged.

Heavy winds pulled a tree limb into a power line, sparking the blaze before 9:40 a.m.