Woodside Fire, Sonoma County

A fast‑moving wildfire dubbed the Woodside Fire ignited on July 30, 2026 near Timber Cove in northern Sonoma County. By that evening the blaze had grown to roughly 75‑143 acres with little containment, prompting mandatory evacuations for about 350 households in Salt Point State Park and surrounding areas, a shelter at Laguna High School, and the closure of a stretch of Highway 1. Smoke drifted across the Bay Area, leading the Bay Area Air District to extend a Spare the Air alert and advise residents to limit outdoor activity and use N95 masks.

In the days that followed, the fire expanded to about 140 acres and was about 30 % contained as more than 300 fire personnel, helicopters, and air tankers were deployed. Hazardous particulate levels were recorded across the Bay Area, with EPA readings reaching 700 in the Russian River corridor, triggering health advisories for people with respiratory conditions. The event also revived debate over the role of eucalyptus trees in fire‑prone neighborhoods, with experts citing their flammable oils and litter while some community members argue for their preservation and proper maintenance.