San Rafael Firefighters Extinguish Blaze Near Baypoint Village

The following is a lightly edited e-mail from San Rafael Fire Chief Chris Gray: 

Shortly before noon on July 4, the San Rafael Fire Department responded to a vegetation fire between Windward Way and Baypoint Village Drive in San Rafael.

Firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Jeff Rowan have been on high alert all day and rapidly responded to a fire burning in vegetation and moving toward homes off the trail near Windward Way, which is in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood behind Mi Pueblo Market.

The fire was held to less than one acre in size, but generated a large amount of smoke that was pushed by a sea breeze to the northeast.

Firefighters’ quick attack controlled the fire from reaching homes on Baypoint Village.

The area has been a location for encampments that the city has been aggressively trying to remove.

A San Rafael Police officer was first on scene and assisted firefighters in determining the area of origin. A lighter was found in the area along with beverage containers.

A total of 15 San Rafael and 3 Marin County Firefighters who happened to be in the area responded to this incident and were assisted by the San Rafael Police Department.

No injuries occurred as a result of this incident.

There was no loss to structures and the cause is under investigation.

Please be cautious and vigilant with the heat, low humidity, daily breeze and dry brush...the fire threat remains very high and dangerous.

Work to clear brush from around your home...prevention is the key and do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious, smoke or fire.

As a reminder, all fireworks are illegal in Marin County.

Please attend the Marin County Fair to enjoy their fireworks display starting at 9:30 p.m. July 5-7.