Crime & Safety

Spark From Lawn Mower Causes Wild Fire Wednesday

Burns one acre in northeast Novato




A spark from a lawn mower caused a wild fire Wednesday afternoon in Bahia that burned 1 acre before being extinguished an hour later.

Two teens were mowing grass on their property on Bugeia Lane in northeast Novato around 2:45pm when the lawn mower struck a rock and caused a spark, according to Ted Peterson, a battalion chief with the Novato Fire Protection District.

The spark quickly turned into a small fire, prompting the boys to run inside the home in an attempt to get a fire extinguisher. But spurred by wind and plenty of dry grass, the fire spread quickly.

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The fire spread quickly, fed by heavy brush and timber in the rural area, at one point lapping dangerously close to three homes, according to Peterson. Fifteen engines responded, along with two ambulances and were aided by a plane that dropped fire retardant from above.

It took about an hour to control the blaze and one person suffered smoke inhalation, but refused medical attention.

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The incident is a reminder that mowing grass in the middle of a hot summer day can be dangerous, Peterson said.

“If you’re going to mow your weeds, do it in the morning when the conditions are cooler and the humidity is higher,” he said.


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