Crime & Safety

Vegetation Fire in San Rafael May Have Been Sparked by Illegal Camp

Campers may be to blame for a vegetation fire in San Rafael this weekend, according to fire officials. 

The fire, which broke out above Spring Grove around 4 a.m. Sunday, burned about a half acre before crews got a handle on it, according to San Rafael Fire Chief Christopher Gray.

According to Gray, the fire was discovered after local police helped them establish the exact location and best point of access.

"Despite difficult conditions, firefighters found a fire burning in a steep, heavily wooded area off of the fireroad at the end of Spring Grove Avenue," he said.   "Due to a structure fire already in progress in San Rafael, fire units from Marinwood, Larkspur, Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Ross Valley and Marin County provided assistance to San Rafael Firefighters on-scene."

Gray credited "aggressive work by our firefighters" with stopping the forward spread of the fire.  

Though its exact cause is under investigation, campers may be to blame.

"Evidence of camping materials were found in the area," he said.  "As an important safety reminder, camping is not allowed in Open Space areas within San Rafael and threatens the community."

RELATED:  Click here to see more photos from the scene of the fire.





Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.