Mare Island Fires: Closure Extended In Wake Of 3rd Blaze

VALLEJO, CA — Following a series of wildfires that have damaged more than 40 acres of the Mare Island Preserve, the city of Vallejo says the preserve is likely to remain closed into next year. A full inspection for fire damage and safety assessment needs to be completed of all existing structures, trees and surrounding areas, city officials said in a news release Wednesday, Oct. 2.

"In the interim, the city is actively deploying a robust safety and security plan to secure the preserve to protect life safety, and prevent theft and vandalism," said Joanna Altman, assistant to the city manager.

Three fires all occurred in the span of six days — the first on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the second on Thursday, Sept. 26 and the third on Tuesday, Oct. 1 — and have led to approximately 4o-plus acres of damage within the 300-acre preserve.

Arson is suspected in the first fire, which began in the early-morning hours of Sept. 25. After city officials determined it was caused by someone cutting down a live power pole, a criminal investigation was launched. Based on the findings of fire inspectors, the case has been classified as felony vandalism and felony arson.

"Evidence was collected at the scene which is being tested for DNA and fingerprints," Altman said. "It is believed that subjects are trespassing on the [city-owned] Preserve and Navy lands, and used mechanical saws to strip metals from buildings, power poles and communications towers."

• Mare Island Fire Sparked By Malicious Attempt To Cut Poles: FD
• Second Mare Island Fire Chars 40 Acres: Vallejo FD
• Following 2 Fires, Mare Island Preserve Closed To Public

The two additional fires were likely caused by hot spots flaring up during windy conditions.

The most recent flare-up Tuesday spread into an area still owned by the Navy next to the Naval Cemetery.

There were reports of small explosions, possibility from previously unexploded artillery, city officials said.

"The city has a serious concern for injury and/or fatalities to visitors of the preserve due to hazardous conditions," Altman said.

Extensive fire damage to trees — eucalyptus branches referred to as 'widow makers' — and cut-throughs found in fencing between the city-owned preserve and active Naval Clean-Up site, have created unsafe conditions within the preserve, according to the city.

As the fires also caused minor damage to Naval Cemetery fencing and grounds, it has been recommended that the cemetery also be closed during the re-construction process.

Steep, unstable land and hillsides burned in the fire will also be prone to erosion, slides and falls as the rainy season approaches.

As a precaution early in the summer, the city mowed areas adjacent to roads in July for suppression access. However, the fires demonstrated it is necessary to design and implement a more robust fire suppression, security and land management plan, especially as the Navy is set to transfer approximately 200 additional acres to the city in the next two or three years, city officials said.

During this period of closure, the city says it will work with a subject-matter expert to develop a comprehensive land management plan, including a meeting with the U.S. Forest Service.

City staff will seek approval from the City Council to put out a request for proposals from parties qualified to take on the management and operation of the preserve.

"The selected vendor will be expected to work with the city to implement a fire-restoration plan over the coming months, and provide safety and security, seven-day access and ongoing land management once the preserve re-opens," Altman said.

In addition to the preserve, Mare Island, which opened in 1851 as the first U.S. Navy station on the West Coast and remained an active U.S. military base until the mid-1990s, is home to more than 80 businesses. The 3.5-mile-long peninsula — bordered by the Napa River, the Carquinez Strait and the San Pablo Bay — is also home to Touro University, a golf course and a residential subdivision.