Fallen power pole causes small bush fire and leads to road closure in Santa Rosa

A Santa Rosa woman drove into a power pole on Monday, causing it to fall and spark a brush fire in southern Santa Rosa, police said.

Shortly after 3 p.m., the woman’s Chevrolet Malibu veered off Bellevue Avenue and collided with a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. pole west of Moorland Avenue, Santa Rosa police Sergeant Patricia Seffens said.

The pole fell and the live wires sparked flames that spread to a 100-square-foot area before firefighters contained them and PG&E shut down the power lines. No buildings were damaged.

A small plume of smoke was visible over Bellevue Avenue and the fire, blown by moderate winds, could be smelled in the Santa Rosa area.

The intersection near Highway 101 was closed until about midnight while PG&E crews repaired the pole and power line.

Seffens said she did not know how long power was out for nearby residents, but it was likely not long.

The driver appeared to be intoxicated and was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. She is also suspected of identity fraud and resisting arrest after she initially told officers she was someone else and resisted them when they handcuffed her.

She was taken to the Sonoma County Jail and is being held on $50,000 bail.

Reach staff writer Madison Smalstig at [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.