Lawn Mower Likely Sparked 44-Acre San Rafael-Area Blaze: Report

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A 44-acre blaze last week that triggered evacuations in parts of the Lucas Valley and Marinwood neighborhoods of San Rafael was likely caused by a lawn mower, The Marin Independent Journal reports.

No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged according to the report.

The blaze, first reported Wednesday at around 2:10 p.m., originated at Mt. Lassen and Idylberry Road, just to the north of the Jeannette Prandi Children’s Center and Marin County Juvenile Hall.

Evacuations were ordered for residents living between Lucas Valley Road between Las Gallinas Avenue and Bridgegate Drive and Marinwood Open Space.

It was estimated that the wildfire had the potential to reach 50-100 acres without prompt air support, county officials said.

Marin County Fire Department Chief Jason Weber told the new outlet that a lawn mower blade hitting a rock produced sparks that likely ignited the blaze.

Weber told The IJ that to reduce fire risk, mowing should be done “on cool foggy mornings,” noting that residents should have a hose or fire extinguisher “at the ready.”

A request for air support were made to CAL FIRE, and neighborhood evacuation warnings were issued by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

Four CAL FIRE tankers, two helicopters, and one airborne traffic controller (air attack) plane were dispatched.

For more than an hour, the tankers dropped retardant and the helicopters dropped water from nearby Gallinas Creek and the Marin County Civic Center Lagoon.

In all, 13 engine crews, two bulldozers, and one 14-person hand crew fought the fire the rest of Thursday afternoon. Evacuation orders were reduced to evacuation warnings as forward progress was slowed atop the ridge off the Queenstone Fire Road.

The fire was declared 80 percent contained at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday as the air attack subsided and firefighting resources began to be released.

Marin has experienced very little rain in 2021 as extreme drought conditions persist. As a precaution against wildfires, local fire agencies highly recommend the creation of defensible space around homes to improve chances of protecting property and lives during a wildfire.

Responsible vegetation management and keeping driveways and roads clear of overgrown shrubs helps ensure access by first responders during a wildfire.

The installation of fire-resistant roofing, siding, vents, and dual-pane windows is also recommended.

Residents are urged to register their contact information with Alert Marin notification system overseen by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. More information about fire safety can be found on the FIRESafe Marin website, the Marin County Fire website, the Marin Wildfire Protection Authority website, and CAL FIRE’s Ready for Wildfire website. Learn about how to prepare an emergency kit at the Ready Marin website.

Read more in The Marin Independent Journal