Sonoma Raceway evacuation campground to close Monday evening

The Sonoma Raceway evacuation center is making its final lap soon – as the temporary camping and RV refuge for locals fleeing the week's fires will close on Monday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m., Raceway officials announced today.

'The camping provided by the raceway since last Tuesday was always intended to serve as a temporary evacuation site as opposed to a long-term shelter,' Raceway officials said on Facebook today. 'The raceway does not have the capacity to support evacuees who need longer-term housing and services.'

An element of confusion took hold today at the 50 Acres Campground, located across from Sonoma Raceway on Highway 121, when some evacuees were reportedly informed they would have to leave as early as the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 15.

'We made an error in our initial communication to on-site campers due to a delay in our ability to confirm alternative shelter locations,' said Raceway officials, 'and we apologize to those who were rushed out of the campground on Sunday.'

Sonoma Raceway officials added that they are working in conjunction with county officials to provide evacuees with information about alternative long-term shelter and camping locations.