Solano County Fire Today: Current Status, Evacuation Updates, and 5 Critical Preparedness Steps for December 2025

Solano County Fire Today: Current Status, Evacuation Updates, And 5 Critical Preparedness Steps For December 2025

Solano County Fire Today: Current Status, Evacuation Updates, and 5 Critical Preparedness Steps for December 2025

As of today, December 17, 2025, Solano County is not currently battling a major, uncontained wildfire. The region is experiencing cooler, wetter winter weather, a welcome relief from the peak fire season months that typically run from late spring through fall. While the immediate threat of a large-scale disaster like the 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire is low, residents should not become complacent, as CAL FIRE continues to warn that fire danger remains elevated across Northern California through the end of the year, underscoring the need for constant vigilance and preparedness. The focus has shifted from active suppression to year-round readiness and community-wide emergency planning.

The query "Solano County fire today" often reflects a community on edge, constantly seeking reassurance or immediate action alerts. While no active evacuation orders are in place, the county’s emergency services—including the Solano County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and CAL FIRE LNU Unit—are continually monitoring weather patterns, fuel moisture levels, and the state of defensible space compliance across high-risk areas like the hillsides near Vacaville, Fairfield, and Vallejo. Preparedness is the current watchword, with a strong emphasis on the updated evacuation protocols and the "Know Your Zone" system.

Current Solano County Fire Status and Recent Incidents (December 2025)

The current lower-risk environment is typical for mid-December, but it is crucial to remember that Solano County is part of the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit (LNU), an area prone to fast-moving grass and brush fires year-round, especially during periods of high winds. The absence of a major incident does not mean the absence of risk; instead, it provides a vital window for residents to finalize their emergency plans.

Recent Contained Fires: A Reminder of Year-Round Threat

Even outside the traditional fire season, smaller incidents serve as critical reminders of the persistent danger. These contained fires demonstrate the need for rapid, coordinated response from local agencies like the Dixon Fire Department, Suisun City Fire Department, and Vacaville Fire Department.

  • The Pippo Fire: This incident, which occurred earlier in the year, burned approximately 12 acres near Cantelow Road, north of Vacaville. The fire was quickly brought to 100% containment by the CAL FIRE LNU Unit, preventing it from spreading into a larger threat.
  • Grass Fire Near Fairfield: A separate, fast-spreading grass fire near Vista Grande in Fairfield also prompted temporary evacuation warnings earlier in the year, highlighting how quickly conditions can change in the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
  • The Canon Fire: Another contained incident, the Canon Fire, burned 68 acres in Solano County, further illustrating the frequency of smaller, yet significant, fire events that require immediate attention.

These events, while fully contained, emphasize that the county’s landscape—particularly the dry grass and chaparral in the eastern and northern parts of the county—can ignite and spread rapidly, even with moderate weather conditions. Residents must always be prepared for a sudden shift in fire conditions.

Understanding Solano County’s Critical Evacuation and Hazard Updates

In response to the devastating wildfires of recent years, Solano County has significantly enhanced its emergency communication and evacuation planning. Staying informed about your specific location is the most crucial step a resident can take. This involves understanding the county’s official mapping and alert systems.

1. Know Your Zone: The Evacuation System

The "Know Your Zone" initiative is the cornerstone of Solano County's modern evacuation strategy, developed in partnership with the seven cities (Fairfield, Vacaville, Vallejo, Dixon, Suisun City, Benicia, and Rio Vista) and the Solano County Office of Emergency Services.

  • What It Is: A standardized, easy-to-understand system that divides the entire county into specific, color-coded evacuation zones (e.g., SOL-101, SOL-2788).
  • How It Works: In an emergency, officials use these zone codes to issue precise evacuation orders (MANDATORY) or warnings (PREPARATORY) via the Community Warning System (CWS) and platforms like Genasys Protect.
  • Action Step: Every Solano County resident should immediately visit the official county emergency website, type in their address, and write down their specific zone code. This code is the single most important piece of information during a fire emergency.

2. Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ)

The Solano County Board of Supervisors accepted updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) recommendations from CAL FIRE, with the new map layer becoming effective in July 2025. These maps identify areas where the likelihood and potential severity of wildfire are highest. Understanding your FHSZ is vital for insurance, building codes, and, most importantly, for prioritizing your defensible space efforts.

The FHSZ classifications include:

  • Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ): Areas with the highest risk, often in the hills and wildland interface.
  • High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (HFHSZ): Areas with significant risk.
  • Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zone (MFHSZ): Areas with moderate risk.

The new maps reflect the changing climate and vegetation conditions, ensuring that mitigation efforts like vegetation management and home hardening are focused on the most vulnerable communities.

5 Critical Preparedness Steps for Solano County Residents Today

Given the elevated fire risk that persists through the dry months and the unpredictable nature of California weather, residents must take immediate, actionable steps to protect their property and family. These steps move beyond simple checklists to focus on the county’s specific emergency protocols.

1. Master Your Evacuation Plan and Zone Code

Do not wait for an evacuation warning. Find your specific "Know Your Zone" code and share it with every member of your household. Practice your evacuation route, including a primary and a secondary way out of your neighborhood, especially if you live in areas like Green Valley, Rockville, or the hillsides near Benicia. This proactive approach saves critical time when seconds count.

2. Maintain Year-Round Defensible Space

Defensible space is the area around a structure where fuel (vegetation) is treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of fire and allow firefighters to safely defend the structure. State law requires 100 feet of defensible space. Key zones include:

  • Zone 0 (0-5 feet): The immediate zone. Use non-combustible materials like concrete or stone mulch. Remove all flammable materials.
  • Zone 1 (5-30 feet): Create a lean, clean, and green area. Remove dead plants, prune trees, and keep grass cut to 4 inches or less.
  • Zone 2 (30-100 feet): Reduce the density of vegetation. Create horizontal and vertical spacing between shrubs and trees.

3. Sign Up for Official Alerts (CWS)

Solano County uses the Community Warning System (CWS) to issue official alerts for fire, flood, and other emergencies. If you are not registered, you will not receive timely information on evacuation orders. Visit the official Solano County OES website to register your cell phone, landline, and email address immediately.

4. Assemble a Comprehensive "Go-Bag" (Emergency Kit)

Your Go-Bag should be ready to grab at a moment's notice. It should contain essentials for a minimum of 72 hours, including:

  • Copies of vital documents (insurance policies, passports, medical records).
  • Prescription medications for all family members and pets.
  • Water and non-perishable food.
  • A battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
  • Cash and a change of clothes.

5. Harden Your Home Against Embers

Ember cast is the leading cause of home ignition during a wildfire. Home hardening involves making structural improvements to resist embers. Simple steps include:

  • Installing fine mesh screening (1/8-inch or smaller) over attic and foundation vents.
  • Clearing all debris from gutters and roofs.
  • Replacing or repairing loose or missing roof tiles.
  • Ensuring all exterior doors and windows are sealed and in good repair.

By focusing on these specific, current, and actionable steps—from knowing your evacuation zone to hardening your home—Solano County residents can transform the anxiety associated with "Solano County fire today" into a sense of proactive control and preparedness.

Solano County Fire Today: Current Status, Evacuation Updates, and 5 Critical Preparedness Steps for December 2025
Solano County Fire Today: Current Status, Evacuation Updates, and 5 Critical Preparedness Steps for December 2025

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