Wildland Fire Contained to Four Acres

UPDATE: 9:39 p.m.

The wildland fire on the hillside above Deer Park in Fairfax was contained to four acres as of 8 p.m., according to Ross Valley Fire Department spokesperson JoAnne Lewis.

The fire was called in at approximately 4:56 p.m. and units were dispatched from Ross Valley Fire and the Marin County Fire Department.

Because of the remote location of the fire in the watershed lands above , responding to the scenario was a challenge for firefighters. According to Marin County Fire Battalion Chief Mike Giannini, firefighters deployed over 3,000 feet of hose to supply water to the scene. Additionally, air tankers dumped fire retardant on the flames and took water from the surrounding lakes to pour on the fire.

Eighty-one personnel were required to battle the fire, including three planes and one helicopter. There were ten engines from, Marin County Fire and Cal Fire, as well as two ground hand crew who dug trenches to contain the blaze.

The fire has been contained to approximately four acres and crews will remain overnight to watch for any hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported. The blaze occurred in an area of the watershed that had been plagued by Sudden Oak Death. 

UPDATE: 7:03 p.m.

The three acre fire is 40 percent contained, according to the Ross Valley Fire Department.

A walking crew is coming into the area to dig a large containment trench around the fire. They are expected to start momentarily.

Additionally, the air tankers, which have been taking water out of the watershed lakes and deploying fire retardant, may have to be pulled soon due to the fog. There are nine engines on the scene in addition to the one remaining tanker and walking crew.

Residents are continued to be encouraged to stay out of the area and keep emergency phone lines clear for emergency crews.

There is no information yet on what caused the fire.

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5:57 p.m.

A wildland fire just west of Deer Park in Fairfax has sent smoke billowing across San Rafael and Central Marin - prompting calls to police and fire departments by concerned citizens.

According to the Marin County Fire Department, the fire was reported around 5 p.m. outside the town limits of Fairfax. The wildland fire currently covers a few acres of open space west of the Deer Park area, said fire officials.

No homes are threatened and no evacuations have been ordered. There are currently two air tankers dumping water on the fire. A number of engines have responded.

Exact numbers on the acreage and amount of water being dropped are not available yet, said JoAnne Lewis of the , but she said they do expect to have it under control by tonight.

"Know that we're on the scene," said Lewis.

Residents who live nearby are advised to stay indoors because of the smoke. Additionally, they are asked to keep roadways near the fire area clear. Residents are also asked not to overload emergency dispatch communication centers right now with questions. Because the smoke is blowing east towards San Anselmo and San Rafael there have been a number of concerned citizens calling into police and fire departments.

Check back for updates as we get them.