The ground on Sonoma Mountain has been saturated for months, with snow falling last week on its higher elevations for the first time in years.
But no amount of winter rains have dampened the fear of fire.
Residents of this potentially fire prone area are preparing for their worst nightmare by launching a fundraising campaign for a new fire engine to be housed at the Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority’s Station Four in the Diamond A neighborhood – and by taking first steps toward establishing two new California Fire Safe Councils.
A Type 6 fire engine, which is especially effective in fighting wildfires and can be driven off road, costs approximately $250,000. Diamond A residents have already raised $57,800 toward a goal of $125,000, with the Fire & Rescue Authority expected to match that amount.