Several homes on Via La Cumbre were threatened Thursday afternoon when a fire broke out on the hillside along Southbound Highway 101.
At approximately 3:15 pm, fire crews under the command of San Rafael Battalion Chief Jim Lydon responded to a vegetation fire near the Sir Francis Drake off ramp. Upon arrival, fire crews found a wildfire burning in dry brush rapidly advancing up the steep hillside towards homes located on Via La Cumbre in Greenbrae.
Fire crews fought the blaze from the highway and from Via La Cumbre, where five homes were found to be directly threatened by the fire.
Twin Cities Police evacuated several residences and closed roadways to non-emergency traffic. Additionally, the California Highway Patrol shut down lanes along southbound 101 so that fire crews could operate safely.
Both Sir Francis Drake ramps from northbound and southbound 101 were closed, but were reopened at 4:17 p.m. Westbound Sir Francis Drake Boulevard remains closed at 5 p.m.
The second alarm fire took approximately 30 minutes to fully control. Homes at 50, 52, 56, 58, and 64 Via La Cumbre were directly threatened, but fire crews were able control the fire before any damage to homes occurred.
Units from San Rafael, Larkspur, Corte Madera, and Ross Valley Paramedic Authority assisted in controlling the fire. Approximately 2 acres of hillside was burned. Backyard fences, some decking and out structures were also damaged. A pool deck, wind screen and spa at 50 Via La Cumbre was damaged.
The cause is currently under investigation.
"The fire is a reminder to all hillside property owners that it is time to clear flammable vegetation and to create defensible space zones so as to reduce the risk of wildfire damaging your home.," accodring to Larkspur Fire Chief Bob Sinnott.
