Crime & Safety

Electrocuted Bird Sparks Fire near Skywalker Ranch

Marin County firefighters doused a 1.5-acre fire Monday after an electrocuted bird fell into a grassy field.

Marin County firefighters doused a 1.5-acre fire this morning after an electrocuted bird fell into a grassy field near Skywalker Ranch between Lucas Valley and Nicasio, according to Battalion Chief Mike Giannini.

At approximatley 8:35 a.m., firefighters received a call of a grass fire near filmmaker George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch property. Marin County firefighters teamed up with Lucas's fire brigade and the National Parks Service to extinguish the flames in less than 30 minutes, Giannini said.

The fire was sparked by a bird that electrocuted itself when it landed on the overhead power lines. Once dead, its singed body fell into the grass and ignited the flames, according to Giannini.

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No one was injured.


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