A fast-moving brush fire dubbed the Ledson Fire tore through hillsides along Sonoma Highway (Highway 12) near North Pythian Road in eastern Santa Rosa today, prompting a mandatory evacuation for at least one county zone. Early estimates put the blaze at about 10 to 13 acres as air and ground crews worked steep terrain to slow the spread. No injuries had been reported as of Monday, and authorities said the cause remains under investigation.
Cal Fire response
Cal Fire's LNU unit reported that crews were working steep slopes and attacking what they described as light, flashy fuels, including oak woodland and brush, as the fire pushed east. According to CAL FIRE LNU on X, the incident was estimated at roughly 10 to 13 acres, with resources on scene that included six engines, four dozers, an air attack plane, three air tankers, two Type 1 helicopters and a helitak crew.
Ledson Fire Update:
— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) July 13, 2026
Crews continue suppression efforts with the fire continuing to move east.
The size of the fire is approximately 10 acres.
Currently assigned to the fire are:
6 CAL FIRE Engines
4 Dozers
1 Air Attack
3 Air Tankers
2 Type 1 Helicopters
1 Helitak Crew… pic.twitter.com/3KrM53818H
Evacuations ordered
The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zone SON-3H3, and deputies were conducting evacuations in the area, according to NBC Bay Area. That reporting also noted that no injuries had been reported and that the cause of the fire is under investigation. Residents are urged to consult the county's evacuation map and sign-up tools for shelter and road-closure updates at Sonoma County Emergency.
Where the blaze is burning
The fire was burning along Sonoma Highway (Hwy 12) and North Pythian Road near Ledson Winery and surrounding vineyards, putting a stretch of the Hwy 12 corridor at risk. Ledson's tasting-room property sits on Hwy 12, in the same general corridor threatened during the 2020 Glass Fire, which burned along nearby ridgelines. For the exact property location, see Ledson Winery, and for a look back at past regional fire impacts, see coverage in Sonoma Magazine.
Get alerts and what to expect
Residents in and near the evacuation zone are urged to sign up for county alerts and follow official channels for instructions. Sonoma County's emergency site keeps an updated evacuation-zone map along with alert sign-up tools at Sonoma County Emergency. Locals should keep an eye on updates from CAL FIRE LNU and county officials for changing conditions, road closures and any modifications to evacuation orders as crews work to contain the fire.
Crews remained on scene as additional air and ground resources were requested, and officials indicated that further updates would follow as new information becomes available. Anyone in the area is urged to follow evacuation instructions and steer clear of the Hwy 12 corridor so emergency vehicles can move without delay.
