Officials Investigating Suspicious San Rafael Fire

Chickens in a backyard chicken coop were saved Wednesday evening after San Rafael firefighters quickly extinguished a vegetation fire that started behind a Gerstle Park home.

Cigarette remains were found at the scene of the fire, which started behind 207 D Street and burned vegetation and straw surrounding the coop.

Officials with the San Rafael Police Department, Larkspur Fire and the Marin County Investigation Team are investigating the blaze, which San Rafael Fire Chief Chris Gray categorized as “suspicious.” 

San Rafael firefighters extinguished three other vegetation fires during a roughly 12-hour window on Wednesday and Thursday, Gray said. 

High temperatures are expected to continue through the end of the week, creating “severe fire conditions,” according to Gray.

“Be careful to prevent anything that could cause a fire, remain vigilant and call 9-1-1 upon observing any sign of fire or suspicious activity,” he said.

A Red Flag Fire Alert was issued on Tuesday and Wednesday, when strong winds were paired with record-breaking high temperatures.

Although the wind has died down, high temperatures will continue today and tomorrow. San Rafael is expected to reach a high of 91 degrees today and 84 degrees tomorrow and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 70s on Sunday and Monday.

Gray said common fire sources include high winds, arcing wires, discarded smoking materials, use of spark producing equipment, outdoor cooking or burning, “and, of course, the dreaded intentionally-set fire.”

Tips from the San Rafael Fire Department to avoid fires:

• Report any sign of smoke or fire immediately to your local fire department by calling 9-1-1 (if you call 9-1-1 from your cell phone, please try to know the location of where you are calling from).
• Use extreme caution when operating any machinery or equipment in or near hazardous grass or brush areas.
• Any mowing or weed eating should be done before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation (and NEVER during extremely dry conditions).
• Spark arresters are required in wildland areas on all portable gasoline powered equipment.
• Residents should make sure they have 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
• Clear dead weeds and vegetation.
• Remove leaves and needles from gutters.
• Trim branches 6 feet from the ground.

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