Woodacre, CA – Firefighters in the West Marin village of Lagunitas were battling a wildfire that started Friday afternoon just behind Lagunitas School. The initial cause was deemed to be a model rocket from the school yard.
The first emergency call was made at 1:57 p.m., said Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber. He said the blaze was at five acres at 4:05 p.m. and 80 percent containment. Several homes were threatened near the school.
The fire, which spread from west to east in a narrow path, stretched about a half mile from the school toward Nicasio Valley Road and the San Geronimo Golf Course. About 70 personnel were committed to fighting the flames, including 34 inmates overseen by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFire). One firefighter sustained a minor knee injury.
Three fixed-wing aircraft and one helicopter from CALFire were used to help battle the fire. Crews from Novato Fire, Ross Valley Fire and the Marin County Open Space District assisted the Marin County Fire crews, Weber said.
“We will have personnel on the scene throughout the night to make sure this doesn’t flare up again,” Weber said.