News & Updates

Access to accurate and timely information is critical to helping you understand the issues and decisions facing our City Council and Commissions and engage in the policy making process.  Stay informed by reading the latest news and updates below, sign up to receive "News & Updates," the Sonoma City e-newsletter and subscribe to meeting agendas and minutes for the City Council and Commissions.

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Latest News Posts

Screenshot of a map that shows current prescribed burns.

Prescribed Fire Activity in and Around Sonoma Valley

Posted on June 26, 2025

Following yesterday’s successful operation at Montini Preserve, two additional prescribed burns are now underway in Sonoma Valley: Fire Forward’s “Triangle G” burn on Sonoma Mountain (in the Diamond A area, west of the City of Sonoma) A training burn by Sonoma Valley Fire District in the field across from Hanna Center, this burn is occurring...
A photo of two firefighters wetting a perimeter of a controlled burn operation.

Prescribed Burn Planned at Montini Preserve the Week of June 23

Posted on June 9, 2025

A prescribed burn is planned on approximately 20 acres of the Montini Open Space Preserve during the week of June 23, 2025, as part of a joint effort by the Sonoma Valley Fire District, Sonoma Ecology Center, CAL FIRE, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, and the City of Sonoma. The operation will occur on one day...
A 'bug's eye view' of tall grasses and weeds with blue sky in the background.

Vegetation Management & Weed Abatement: Fire Safety Starts with You

Posted on May 16, 2025

Temperatures are rising, grasses are drying, and fire season is near – it’s time to take measures to create defensible space around your home by managing vegetation. Proper Vegetation Management and Weed Abatement play a critical role in reducing potential fire hazards. The Sonoma Valley Fire District’s (SVFD) Annual Weed Abatement Program is in full swing and is...
A map showing the Fire Hazard Severity Risk.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Map – Council Consideration on May 7, 2025

Posted on May 5, 2025

The City of Sonoma is moving forward with adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map, which designates areas based on their level of wildfire risk. This map is required under Government Code Section 51179 and has been reviewed in partnership with the Sonoma Valley Fire District (SVFD) and CalFire. The updated FHSZ map is...
An aerial view of 5th Street East and Harrigton Drive in City of Sonoma showing a section of a road that will be temporarily closed.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Partial Closure on Harrington Drive

Posted on April 30, 2025

Please be advised that a section of Harrington Drive near 390 Harrington Drive will be closed to through traffic beginning Thursday May 1, 2025, due to construction activity related to a new residence. LOCATION: Harrington Drive near 390 Harrington Drive, between the intersection with Manor Drive and the driveway to 390 Harrington Drive. Local driveway...
Information about an evacuation exercise.

Residents East of Highway 12 in Agua Caliente, Fetters, and Boyes: Join the May 3 Evacuation Drill — Sign Up and Share!

Posted on April 28, 2025

If you live east of Highway 12 in parts of Agua Caliente, Fetters Hot Springs, or Boyes Hot Springs — or know someone who does — we encourage you to sign up or help spread the word about a community evacuation drill happening on Saturday, May 3, 2025. While the exercise is not taking place...
A map showing the Fire Hazard Severity Risk.

Public Hearing for Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Map at April 22nd Council Meeting

Posted on April 18, 2025

Sonoma City Council will hold a public hearing to consider adopting the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map at their upcoming regular meeting on April 21st at 6:00 p.m.  The Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) map, which follows guidelines provided by CalFire, designates areas as Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and is...
A crosswalk with new pedestrian safety measures.

Sonoma Plaza Pedestrian Crosswalk Improvements Enhance Safety

Posted on April 10, 2025

The City of Sonoma is pleased to announce the completion of key pedestrian safety improvements on the Sonoma Plaza. Recently upgraded mid-block crosswalks on First Street West and Spain Street now feature additional safety measures, including bollards at the beginning of the crosswalks and clear, fresh paint to improve visibility. In addition, a new sign...
A photo of a hand holding a smart phone with an emergency alert showing on the screen.

Alert and Warning System Test Scheduled for March 27 in Sonoma Valley

Posted on March 21, 2025

Sonoma and Napa counties, in partnership with local law enforcement and fire agencies, will conduct a targeted emergency alert and warning system test on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This test will focus on the SON-6F4 evacuation zone, located in Sonoma Valley near the Sonoma-Napa County line. Between 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., residents and visitors...
A map showing the Fire Hazard Severity Risk.

New Fire Hazard Severity Map for Sonoma & Surrounding Areas – Public Review and Input Encouraged

Posted on March 14, 2025

An updated draft Fire Hazard Severity Map is now available for public review and comment. This map is based on CalFire’s updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones, which determine fire hazard classifications for the City of Sonoma, Sonoma Valley, and surrounding areas based on climate data, fire history, and wildfire modeling. View the Interactive Map & Submit Comments...
A photo of a person crossing the street with the aid of new RRFBs.

New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Crosswalk Installed at Third Street West & West Spain Street

Posted on February 28, 2025

The City of Sonoma is excited to announce the installation of a new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crosswalk at the intersection of Third Street West and West Spain Street. This improvement is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility. Approved by the Traffic Safety Committee in November 2024, the...
A graphic of a map of the San Francisco Bay Area illustrating potential rainfall amounts .

Wet Weather Expected – Prepare Now!

Posted on January 30, 2025

After a relatively dry period, the weather pattern is shifting, bringing an extended period of wet conditions to Sonoma starting Friday. The National Weather Service forecast models indicate that an Atmospheric River will impact Northern California, including the Bay Area, with the North Bay, including Sonoma County, expected to receive the highest rainfall amounts. While...
Graphics of two people on electronic devices with an image of a paper survey with a message encouraging people to take an online survey.

Sonoma Residents: Help Shape Our Community’s Resilience to Disasters!

Posted on January 10, 2025

The City of Sonoma is proud to join Sonoma County and 23 other jurisdictions in updating the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a critical tool for reducing disaster risk and enhancing community resilience. This collaborative effort will identify strategies to protect lives, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards, such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. We need...
A map of the San Francisco Bay Area showing rain totals expected over the course of the week,

Rain Expected in Sonoma this Week: Prepare for Wet Weather

Posted on December 23, 2024

The Bay Area is gearing up for a rainy week, with 3-4 inches of rainfall expected in Sonoma between today, Tuesday, December 23rd, and Sunday, December 29th. While there are no current flood watches or advisories, residents are encouraged to take precautions, including having sandbags on hand in case of localized flooding. Sandbag Stations Available:...
A map of the San Francisco Bay Area showing Sonoma County colored in green to signify the area that is under a flood watch.

Weather Awareness: Flood Watch Issued Friday – Sunday

Posted on December 12, 2024

A flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service from 2 PM Friday (December 13th) through 4 PM Sunday (December 15th) due to the likelihood of a rain event that could range from 2 to 3 inches in the Valley. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying...
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