For residents, researchers, and safety officials, the map of the Kincaid Fire serves as a critical document. It illustrates how extreme wind events, specifically the Diablo winds, can drive fire spread across topographic barriers that were previously thought to be defensible. This article provides an in-depth look at the geospatial data surrounding the fire, dissecting its perimeter, progression, and the lasting footprint it left on the Northern California landscape.
The Origin and Ignition Point on the Map
To understand the full scope of the disaster, one must look at where the map begins. The Kincaid Fire started on October 23, 2019, near John Kincaid Road and Burned Mountain Road, located in the geologically active area known as The Geysers. This northeastern corner of Sonoma County is characterized by steep, rugged terrain and dense vegetation, making initial containment efforts incredibly difficult for Cal Fire crews.
On the map, the ignition point is situated in a remote area, yet its location was critical due to the prevailing wind direction. The Diablo winds, blowing fiercely from the northeast to the southwest, acted as a propellant, pushing the flames rapidly down from the Mayacamas Mountains toward the populated valleys below. This trajectory is clearly visible when viewing time-lapse mapping of the fire’s first 48 hours.
Visualizing the Fire Progression
The progression map of the Kincaid Fire tells a story of rapid expansion driven by atmospheric conditions. Unlike fires that grow concentrically, the Kincaid Fire map shows a long, wind-driven corridor. In the initial days, the fire footprint expanded aggressively toward Geyserville, jumping natural and man-made firebreaks.
The Expansion Toward Alexander Valley
By October 24 and 25, the fire map showed the blaze moving into the Alexander Valley. This area is world-renowned for its wineries and agriculture. The geospatial data from this period highlights the vulnerability of the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where the dense forests of the mountains meet the vineyards and structures of the valley floor.
The Threat to Windsor and Healdsburg
One of the most tense moments captured on the Kincaid Fire map occurred when the flames pushed southwest toward the towns of Windsor and Healdsburg. The perimeter map from late October shows the fire line holding just east of Highway 101. Firefighters utilized the highway and strategic backburns as containment lines, preventing the fire from crossing into the densely populated western side of the freeway.
Analyzing the Evacuation Zone Maps
Perhaps the most widely viewed maps during the active incident were the evacuation zone maps. The Kincaid Fire triggered a historic evacuation order affecting nearly 200,000 people. The map of these zones was dynamic, changing hour by hour as the fire behavior analysts predicted the spread.
Authorities utilized a zoning system (often referred to as Zonehaven) to manage the exodus. The map was divided into distinct polygons, allowing emergency managers to issue granular orders. Looking back at the evacuation map, one can see a massive swath of Sonoma County—stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean in some models—marked for evacuation due to the unpredictability of the wind event.
This massive logistical undertaking underscored the importance of real-time mapping technology. Residents relied on digital maps provided by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire to determine if they were in a mandatory evacuation zone or an evacuation warning zone. The clarity and accuracy of these maps were literally matters of life and death.
The Burn Scar: A Look at the Aftermath
Once the smoke cleared and full containment was achieved on November 6, 2019, the focus shifted to the burn scar map. The Kincaid Fire consumed a total of 77,758 acres. The perimeter map reveals a footprint that is distinct from other major fires in the region, such as the 2017 Tubbs Fire.
Comparing the Kincaid and Tubbs Fire Maps
A common question regarding the map of the Kincaid Fire is how it relates to the Tubbs Fire of 2017. When overlaying the two maps, it becomes evident that while they impacted the same general region, their footprints had minimal overlap. The Tubbs Fire burned further south and west, entering Santa Rosa, while the Kincaid Fire burned further north and east.
This lack of overlap meant that the Kincaid Fire was burning through heavy fuel loads—vegetation that had not burned in decades. This contributed to the intensity of the heat and the difficulty in establishing containment lines, as depicted on fuel density maps used by incident commanders.
Technological Tools Behind the Maps
The maps we see of the Kincaid Fire are the result of sophisticated technology. During the event, data was aggregated from multiple sources to create the operational maps used by first responders and the public.
- VIIRS and MODIS Satellite Data: NASA satellites provided thermal anomaly data, allowing for the detection of hotspots even through thick smoke. This data appears on maps as red or orange dots indicating active heat.
- Aerial Infrared Imaging: Planes equipped with infrared cameras flew over the fire at night to map the exact perimeter, providing the morning briefing maps for fire crews.
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Specialists layered topography, infrastructure, and wind models to predict where the fire would move next.
Environmental Impact and Recovery Mapping
Post-fire mapping is crucial for environmental recovery. The burn severity map of the Kincaid Fire categorizes the landscape into areas of low, moderate, and high soil burn severity. These maps are vital for hydrologists and geologists to predict landslides and debris flows during the winter rainy season.
High-severity burn areas, often depicted in red on recovery maps, indicate where the vegetation was completely consumed and the soil structure altered. In the Kincaid footprint, these areas were concentrated in the steep canyons of the Mayacamas Mountains. Watershed maps were subsequently used to install waddles and other erosion control measures to protect the Russian River watershed.
Impact on Local Infrastructure and Agriculture
The map of the Kincaid Fire also intersects with the economic map of the region. Dozens of structures were destroyed, including homes and winery buildings. By mapping these losses, local government and insurance agencies could assess the economic toll, which ran into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Vineyard maps overlaid with the fire perimeter showed that while many vines acted as natural firebreaks due to their high moisture content, the smoke taint and direct heat damage affected the 2019 vintage. This geospatial data helps agricultural commissions estimate crop loss and plan for replanting.
How to Access Historical Kincaid Fire Maps
For those conducting research, buying property, or simply interested in the history of the event, accessing high-quality maps of the Kincaid Fire is straightforward. Several reliable sources maintain these archives.
Cal Fire Incident Archive: The official Cal Fire website maintains an incident page for the Kincaid Fire, which includes PDF versions of the daily progression maps used during the firefight.
USGS and National Map: The United States Geological Survey provides geospatial data that can be downloaded for use in GIS software, offering the most precise perimeter data available.
Sonoma County Open Data: Local government portals often host interactive maps showing the fire history of the county, allowing users to toggle different fire perimeters to see the cumulative fire history of the region.
Lessons Learned for Future Mapping
The Kincaid Fire highlighted the necessity of accessible, easy-to-read maps for the general public. In the years following 2019, Sonoma County and other fire-prone regions have upgraded their mapping interfaces. The confusion regarding zone names and boundaries during the Kincaid event led to the standardization of evacuation zones across the state.
Modern fire maps now integrate traffic data, shelter locations, and power outage maps (PSPS events) into a single dashboard. This holistic approach was born partly out of the lessons learned during the chaotic nights of late October 2019.
Conclusion
The map of the Kincaid Fire is more than just a depiction of burned land; it is a historical document that records a moment of crisis and resilience in Sonoma County. From the ignition point at The Geysers to the containment lines along Highway 101, every contour of the map represents the efforts of thousands of firefighters and the cooperation of a community under siege.
By studying the Kincaid Fire map, we gain a better understanding of wildfire behavior in the age of climate change. It serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness, accurate data, and clear communication in the face of disaster.
