It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Sonoma State Historic Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Sonoma, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“This place is great! I highly recommend for family care and employment”
“I have worked for Always Best care for over 7 years! I have always been”
“Great company! They care about their clients & their caregivers better than I've seen any”
“I am a current client of this provider They take me to appointments and shopping. I like”
“I first had contact with Always Best Care in October of 2023, needing help for”
“I did not know a service like this even existed! Taking care of a parent with”
“Stephanie DeMartile has been an absolute pleasure to work with! She's very kind, knowledgeable and”
“Our sister was under the care of Stephanie DeMartile and her team and received superb”
“Always Best Care is such an amazing company. Helping meet our seniors needs and guiding”
“I am a past client of this provider The agency did all the leg work. Stephanie made”
“It was Christmas day when my In laws had fallen and both were in”
“I am a current client of this provider I have someone to walk with since I”
“After my Dad came to live with us rather suddenly it became clear that we”
“I am a past client of this provider She bathed and washed her up. She took”
“I am a current client of this provider It helps me because I can't be there”
“I am a current client of this provider They work really hard for me because my”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver only comes in once a week,”
“I am a past client of this provider They could have put their rates down a”
“I am a current client of this provider They help by readjusting the schedule if needed. I”
“I am a current client of this provider The interaction has been helping her the most. I”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me more than they help my”
“I am a current client of this provider They look for things to do when everything”
“I am a past client of this provider The therapist was very positive and encouraging to”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made my life a lot easier.”
“I am a current client of this provider The care is helping, and the client is”
“This place is great! I highly recommend for family care and employment”
“I have worked for Always Best care for over 7 years! I have always been happy with the professionalism provided by Management & staff! The flexibility and compassion has been exceptional, consistent and friendly. The manager really works hard to match the caregiver’s skills to the client! If you are someone wanting to be a compassionate & a quality caregiver, Always Best Care- Vacaville is a great place to work!”
“Great company! They care about their clients & their caregivers better than I've seen any other companies. The staff is amazing!”
“I am a current client of this provider They take me to appointments and shopping. I like the quality of the caregivers.”
“I first had contact with Always Best Care in October of 2023, needing help for my dear friend who needed a Board & Care after a hospital stay. I had the pleasure of working with Stephanie DeMartile who did an outstanding job helping me through every decision and stayed so organized. She was always calm and informative and many times went out of her way for me. She really is an asset to Always care. She found the perfect place for my friend, she was very well taken care of, which was a huge comfort to me. Even after she was at the Board & Care Stephanie stayed in touch with me & even visited my friend while she was there. Sadly my dear friend passed away, and again Stephanie was there to help me through it. I’d gladly work with Stephanie & Always Best Care anytime. Patti D.”
“I did not know a service like this even existed! Taking care of a parent with dementia is extremely difficult. My father has reached the point that he needs 24 hour care. Thankfully Stephanie stepped in and guided me through it all. I had so many questions, but yet didn’t know what to ask. I was lost. She took me to a few Board and Cares, explained all the differences between all the options out there. Stephanie even stepped in at the hospital, (with my permission ), to be sure my Dad wasn’t released too soon and all appropriate paperwork was completed. Stephanie is worth her wait in gold!!”
“Stephanie DeMartile has been an absolute pleasure to work with! She's very kind, knowledgeable and patient. Her experience makes for a smooth process. If you're thinking of choosing Always Best Care, let this be your sign to move forward! Highly recommend.”
“Our sister was under the care of Stephanie DeMartile and her team and received superb service. We couldn’t have asked for better care during her last days. We would highly recommend ABC to anyone seeking professional and loving care for themselves or their loved ones. We had our sister in several other facilities and she received very poor care until we got her home. The home care was wonderful! When it came time for her to enter the hospice part of the program, we were amazed at how loving and caring Stephanie’s team treated her. She was allowed to die pain free and with dignity. We were sad but grateful she had such great care and support in her end days.”
“Always Best Care is such an amazing company. Helping meet our seniors needs and guiding families through this exhausting process of needing care, finding care at home and then even helping finding long term solutions once things escalate past home needs! Stephanie DeMartile is very responsive, knowledgeable & helpful. Thank goodness for her experience to guide us through this process. She is a jewel. I can honestly say she is the main reason I keep coming back to Always Best Care!”
“I am a past client of this provider The agency did all the leg work. Stephanie made all the phone calls, and the first one she showed us we chose. She took the initiative and took a huge burden off of me and my mother.”
“It was Christmas day when my In laws had fallen and both were in the hospital. There was alot on problems with their care and services available but the one thing the hospital did right was by giving us Always Best Care. Stephanie DeMartile let me know what the costs and options were available. She made all the calls to find a care home that was affordable clean and could accommodate a couple. . She took a huge weight off my shoulders. Her service was the best, other services just gave me places to call. Thank you!”
“I am a current client of this provider I have someone to walk with since I was in the hospital because I fell when walking. I like the fact that I have someone to walk with me. There are little things that would not happen without the caregiver. In the beginning, several people came out, and then it settled on two providers. I think they needed more consistency at the beginning.”
“After my Dad came to live with us rather suddenly it became clear that we would need some help in the home. I was very apprehensive about having "strangers" in my home while my husband and I went to work. Trusting anyone else to care for my Dad was a huge leap for me. Lori came and did the intake evaluation and I immediately felt comfortable with her. She met Dad and was so gracious and personable with him. We needed help right away and Always Best Care did their very best to fill our time slots quickly. This was where there were a few bumps but I would encourage anyone to be patient with the process. We got a great rhythm of care going for Dad and he would daily ask "who's coming today?" Jessica would pop bye and check on him. Always so attentive to REALLY knowing how he was doing. He loved their chats. Tenesha and Carolyn became like family in our home. My fears of in home care, trusting others with my home and Dad quickly faded away with the dedicated and genuine care giving he received. We are forever grateful.”
“I am a past client of this provider She bathed and washed her up. She took care of her hygiene. The home care provider Shelby was proficient and well-trained.”
“I am a current client of this provider It helps me because I can't be there for my mom every day, and it helps her with cleaning. I would recommend them because they are very organized and professional. They are flexible and compassionate.”
“I am a current client of this provider They work really hard for me because my life is very hectic and crazy. They are very professional, hardworking individuals.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver only comes in once a week, but she provides excellent care. She is like part of the family when she is here. They're dependable, reliable, and have excellent customer service and care. They've been outstanding in every aspect and they've never let me down.”
“I am a past client of this provider They could have put their rates down a little bit. I used them for 2 days, but it was too expensive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help by readjusting the schedule if needed. I would recommend them because they are helpful, and they know exactly what I need.”
“I am a current client of this provider The interaction has been helping her the most. I like that we can make a list of what we need and that is what we are provided.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me more than they help my husband, it gives me some relief. I'd recommend them because they always follow up, the follow-up in the office is good.”
“I am a current client of this provider They look for things to do when everything else is done. They do a good job of getting the caregivers here, and they are excellent caregivers.”
“I am a past client of this provider The therapist was very positive and encouraging to get me moving. I liked the nurses and physical therapists.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made my life a lot easier. I don't have to do everything for myself now. I would like to see them improve at getting a caregiver who will be able to physically take care of me. My caregiver is a little lady, and I am a bigger lady so I think it would be better if they matched me with a bigger caregiver.”
“I am a current client of this provider The care is helping, and the client is happy. It has let me get the rest I need and peace of mind. The training for the caregiver could be better, she was not as knowledgeable as they said she was.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Maxwell Farms Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local El Dorado Kitchen or visit Bear Flag Monument (California Historical Landmark #7), don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Sonoma, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Sonoma, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Sonoma, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has been providing Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training to CA State Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensed establishments in Sonoma County for over a decade. Our motivation to partner with the alcohol industry and offer these courses is driven by our ongoing commitment to substance use prevention and education. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing sales to minors and sales/service to obviously intoxicated individuals. Our ultimate goal is to protect the public health and s...
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has been providing Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training to CA State Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensed establishments in Sonoma County for over a decade. Our motivation to partner with the alcohol industry and offer these courses is driven by our ongoing commitment to substance use prevention and education. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing sales to minors and sales/service to obviously intoxicated individuals. Our ultimate goal is to protect the public health and safety of Sonoma County residents.
Until recently, RBS training has only been required for ABC licensees in cities and counties through the enactment of local policies and regulations. Included in these rulings have been on-sale establishments (bars, restaurants, cafes, wineries, breweries) and off-sale establishments (stores, markets, mini-marts, gas stations).
With the passage of CA Assembly Bill 1221, beginning July 1, 2022, RBS training will be mandated for all alcoholic beverage servers and managers in on-sale establishments statewide with the requirement to successfully complete an ABC-approved RBS training course and RBS online exam, no later than August 31, 2022 (or within 60 days for new hires). For more information about AB1221 click on the link below: https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/rbs/frequently-asked-questions
The Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health Division is proud to announce that our RBS training was approved by the ABC in May, 2021, (and renewed in May, 2024), the first County in the State to achieve this certification as a Training Provider. Our 4-hour virtual trainings are offered at no cost and meet all the state requirements. The trainings also allow off-sale establishments to meet local city municipal code regulations.
AB1221 requirements for Servers and Managers:
To register for an upcoming RBS training, please visit the following website:https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/n4hy8vn
For more information, contact Andrea Pickett [email protected] or call (707) 565-4894
Eduardo Arellano-Bravo, 28, was booked into jail on suspicion of burglary, petty theft, resisting arrest, and an outstanding felony warrant.SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A wanted burglary suspect was apprehended in Sonoma County this week, according to the Sheriff's Office.On Thursday just before 3 p.m., deputies patrolling the 18000 block of Sierra Drive in Sonoma Valley spied Eduardo Arellano-Bravo, 28, who had a felony warrant out for his arrest. According to the Sheriff's Office, Arellano-Bravo saw the deputies and fled, alle...
SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A wanted burglary suspect was apprehended in Sonoma County this week, according to the Sheriff's Office.
On Thursday just before 3 p.m., deputies patrolling the 18000 block of Sierra Drive in Sonoma Valley spied Eduardo Arellano-Bravo, 28, who had a felony warrant out for his arrest. According to the Sheriff's Office, Arellano-Bravo saw the deputies and fled, allegedly jumping fences to get away.
A deputy saw Arellano-Bravo riding a bike that had allegedly been reported as stolen from a nearby residence. More deputies were called, along with a K-9 and the Sheriff's Office helicopter.
Deputies conducted a search for approximately 90 minutes and Arellano-Bravo was eventually spotted jumping a fence into a backyard in the 18000 block of Riverside Drive. He was found hiding in a shed, surrendered, and was arrested.
Meanwhile, at about 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a reported burglary in the same area and the homeowner provided a list of the stolen items. According to the Sheriff's Office, items of clothing matching that of Arellano-Bravo were found in the person's garage. Arellano-Bravo allegedly admitted that he had the stolen items in that case.
Arellano-Bravo was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of burglary, petty theft, resisting arrest, and the outstanding felony warrant.
As of Sunday, he remained in custody with bail set at $80,000.
By Katy St. Clair / Bay City News
Copyright © 2025 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.
Wildfires in California wine country and Central Oregon grew overnight, prompting hundreds of evacuations as firefighters sought to contain the blazes Sunday amid dry, hot weather.The Pickett Fire in Napa County had grown to more than 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and was 11% contained as of early Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. New study shows how climate change is driving wildfire season to start earlier in CaliforniaAbout 190 people were ordered to leave their...
Wildfires in California wine country and Central Oregon grew overnight, prompting hundreds of evacuations as firefighters sought to contain the blazes Sunday amid dry, hot weather.
The Pickett Fire in Napa County had grown to more than 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and was 11% contained as of early Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection.
New study shows how climate change is driving wildfire season to start earlier in California
About 190 people were ordered to leave their homes, while another 360 were under evacuation warnings as the fire threatened about 500 structures near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley, said Jason Clay, spokesman for Calfire Sonoma Lake-Napa Unit.
More than 1,230 firefighters backed by 10 helicopters were battling the fire, which began Thursday after a week of extremely hot weather. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Residents of the Western United States have been sweltering in a heat wave that hospitalized some people, with temperatures forecast to hit dangerous levels throughout the weekend in Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.
Clay said the weather has moderated since the fire broke out, with Sunday’s high expected to be 94 degrees (34 Celsius). But humidity levels were expected to drop amid increasing winds later Sunday afternoon.
“That’s been a driving factor in the afternoons since we’ve seen the fire activity pick up for the last three days,” Clay said, adding that “support from all up and down California has been critical to our efforts.”
The fire began in the same area as the much larger Glass Fire in 2020, which crossed into Sonoma County and eventually burned about 105 square miles (272 square kilometers) and more than 1,500 structures.
That fire was driven by wind, while the current fire is fueled mainly by dry vegetation on steep slopes — some of it dead and downed trees left over from the Glass Fire and some of it grass and brush that grew back and then dried out again, said Clay.
In Oregon, the Flat Fire in Deschutes and Jefferson counties had grown to almost 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), with about 4,000 homes under various levels of evacuation notice, including 1,000 with orders to leave immediately, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters were able to cut containment lines and continued to suppress fires in some residential areas. However, they faced significant challenges Sunday with difficult terrain, low humidity and triple-digit temperatures in some areas, officials said.
Some homes have burned, and officials said they were working to confirm the status of structures.
The area is in a high desert climate, where dried grasses and juniper trees are burning and fire is racing through canyon areas where it’s challenging to create containment lines, said Jason Carr, Deschutes County sheriff’s spokesman.
The fire began Thursday night and grew quickly amid hot, gusty conditions. Fire officials were keeping an eye on isolated thunderstorms in Southern Oregon that could drift north on Sunday, state Fire Marshals spokesman Chris Schimmer said in a video posted to Facebook.
“If we get thunderstorms that roll through, it can … cause the fire to jump (containment) lines,” said Carr, adding the downdrafts can push fire in multiple directions.
Although it’s difficult to directly tie a single fire or weather event directly to climate change, scientists say human-caused warming from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas is causing more intense heat waves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires.
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