A two-alarm vegetation fire Tuesday burned just over two acres acres in Novato, damaging a home and power lines. The fire was allegedly caused by a 14-year-old boy who was playing with matches, a fire spokeswoman said. Fire crews quickly knocked down a two-alarm fire in Novato one day earlier, Monday evening, according to the Marin County Fire Department, injuring a firefighter and forcing 15 homes to evacuate.
The second fire was reported just after 6 p.m. Tuesday off of Oliva Drive, according to Novato Fire District.
A teenager admitted to accidentally starting the fire, according to Novato Fire Protection District. The teen was cited and referred to the Novato Fire District’s Youth Firesetter Intervention Program.
Novato Fire officials said the fire burned power lines, contrary to news reports that the blaze was ignited by power lines.
Smoke from the fire was visible throughout Marin.
Novato fire Chief Mark Heine gave a situational report in a video posted to Twitter:
” … When our firefighters arrived we had four to five acres of grass, brush and trees burning at a rapid rate of spread, burning up a steep hill behind these homes. The fire initially threatened many homes in this neighborhood. The fire has currently burned four to five acres of vegetation and has significantly damaged one home. The fire is 75 percent contained at this point. It is not growing any bigger at this time. Firefighting resources will be at this fire overnight tonight to ensure that it gets fully contained and controlled tonight.”
The first fire, Monday evening, was reported at 7 p.m. near Sunset Parkway and Shon Court, briefly threatening home. Sheriff’s deputies evacuated about 15 homes, but no structures were burned, fire officials said.
Marin County Fire said at about 7:30 p.m. the fire had burned about 4 to 5 acres and that the forward progress of the blaze had been stopped. The fire was about 40 percent contained at that time, fire officials said.
One firefighter suffered minor burns their legs, and was treated and released at Kaiser in terra Linda. No other injuries were reported.
Fire crews remained at the scene overnight and into Tueday afternoon for overhaul. The cause of the fire is being investigated, fire officials said.
