Southern Marin Fire Protection District, CA
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Fire Report For 8/18/21
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, B3, E9, R9, E7, E10, E1583, E1566, E1569, TF 2140 and B1515 responded to a reported vegetation fire on Hwy 101 NB just north of E. Blithedale on ramp. E7 arrived on scene first and reported 1/4 acre fire making a run up the hill with no structures threatened. B3 arrived on scene and established Blithedale IC. E9 was assigned to Division A with E6. E7 was assigned Division C and given direction for direct attack with perimeter control. CHP arrived on scene to shut down lanes 3 and 4 of Hwy 101. Lanes remained closed for approx. 2 1/2 hours while crews remained on scene.
The fire was noted to be a moderate rate of spread slope and wind driven. 2nd alarm was called for with units from Central Marin Fire to report to the Corte Madera side. As units arrived E4, E10, E8, E11, and 1569 were assigned to Division C. 2140 T arrived with 2140 actual and assigned to Division M with 604. Crews worked Division A and Division C with progressive hose lays and work spot fires.
Woodacre took over the fire and single point ordering was done through them. Tam Crew. 1 arrive on scene and were assigned to Division M. B1515 arrived on scene and unified command was established.
Shortly after Division C reported that they had tied in with Division A and stopped the forward progress of the fire. B3 called for air support to be cancelled. Crews remained on scene for mop up and Tam Crew worked to cut line around the perimeter of the fire. B3 walked the perimeter and calculated the fire to be 1 acre in size.
Crews were released as the incident was under control and mop up was near completion. E7, E9 and 1569 remained on scene to ensure no hot spots and fire was cold. All units cleared and command and tactical were released. No injuries and no structures threatened or damaged.
The vegetation fire that occurred on August 18th could have been more disastrous if it wasn't for the combined team effort of our SMFD Prevention and Operations team. Previous to the fire's ignition, SMFD Prevention team had been hard at work clearing a defensible space along the fire road and removing of dead grasses. As a result, the fire had stopped just before the groomed area. SMFD's Prevention team will continue to work with Central Marin Fire to enhance mitigation efforts along the fire road and improve defensible space for structures in the area.
SMFD Prevention Team will be specifically enhancing the buffer zone along the fire road by 10ft on both sides and creating a horizontal space between the vegetation to help limit the spread of fires. Also, our prevention teams will work to clear 100ft of defensible space specifically along Creekside Way, removing broom, dead grasses, and limbing up trees. This will help to reduce the spread of fires.
properly discarding cigarettes. proper maintenance of your vehicle. properly securing tow chains to prevent sparks. keep vehicles off dry grass.