More Suspected Arson Fires Set Overnight

Six or seven small wildland fires appear to have been set Sunday night and Monday morning in Novato, bringing to at least 23 fires over the past three days, sources said Monday.

Meanwhile, emergency responders made an appeal for the public’s help in identifying anybody suspicious walking around at night.

Novato Deputy Fire Chief Eric Nickel said crews worked overnight in the Bahia neighborhood where about half an acre in the Rush Creek Open Space Preserve was scorched just north of the intersection of Bahia and Topaz drives. A call was made at 1:20 a.m. on that fire, which burned almost three-quarters of a mile from the nearest paved street.

The Bahia fire was the largest so far in a flurry of wildland fires were first reported Saturday night in a southern Novato neighborhood.

The same neighborhood, just off South Redwood Boulevard, was struck again Sunday night when a several small fires were set near the corner of South Redwood Boulevard and Briarwood Court. Police officers with dogs were patrolling in a previous arson location when one of them spotted smoke coming from an open field. They were quickly extinguished by firefighters.

Most of the fires have been less than 100 square feet up to 800 square feet, but some have worked toward each other to create larger blazes.

“A lot of these fires have been out in the open, right next to a road or right next to a trail,” Nickel said. “The Bahia one was a good half or three-quarters of a mile hike away, though.”

Theand are both investigating all the fires as suspected arson, and the agencies are receiving help from the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and the Marin County Search and Rescue Team.

The fires come at a time when fire agencies statewide are warning of increased fire danger because of unusually dry weather. Cal Fire, the state’s main fire agency, has increased staff and cancelled controlled burn days and debris burning days out of caution.

Wildland fires usually slow as wet weather sets in across the state, but low precipitation is sparking additional concern.

Police Captain Jim Berg said his department was dedicating additional resources and equipment to the arson investigations, as is Novato Fire.

“We’re applying those resources to fully investigate this so that hopefully we’re able to get some answers to what’s going on,” Berg said. “… We have collected various items at various scenes, but whether or note they’re connected to this is going to be determined by tests that have to be conducted.”

On Saturday night/Sunday morning, fire and police personnel dealt with 15 to 20 small fires concentrated in the subdivisions off South Redwood Boulevard. Seascape Village, Sequoia Glen, Cheda Knolls and Western Oaks Village were on high alert as emergency personnel worked through the night.

“We sure hope they catch the responsible party or parties,” resident John O’Malley said. “A very determined force is certainly on the hunt.”

Nickel said there have been no injuries and no structural damage thus far in the rash of possible arson fires.

Berg said the police department is asking residents to call in anything suspicious. The daytime number is 897-4361 and the off-hours number is 897-1122. Also, anonymous tips can be left at 1-800-848-0101.

“Anybody out walking at 1 in the morning is suspicious in my mind, so I’d say call it in and let the officers determine whether it’s suspicious,” he said. “With 28 square miles to cover, there can be quite a gap between fires. They have the potential to go anywhere, so we’d rather get those calls than not.”

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.