Fire In Los Altos Hills Ignited By Mower, Officials Say

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA -- A brush fire that burned five acres Thursday afternoon in the Byrne Preserve in Los Altos Hills -- above Foothill-De Anza College -- was accidentally ignited by a commercial mower, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

The Mountain Fire broke out about 3:25 p.m. Thursday near Altamont Road and Black Mountain Road, fire officials reported. Crews from Los Altos Hills, Los Altos, Palo Alto and Cal Fire responded to the blaze. A helicopter shuttled water from the small lake at Foothills Park in Palo Alto.

Foothill-De Anza police said although smoke was visible from the college, the fire did not pose a threat to the campus.

As of 4:30 p.m., the forward rate of spread had been stopped. No structures were involved and crews had formed a line around the fire, officials said.

Santa Clara County Fire Investigator Ryan Cronin said the fire started with a spark from an industrial-sized, tractor-towed mower being used to clear tall grass on private land near Westwind stables on Alamont Road.

"Unfortunately, it does occur," Cronin told Patch. "So we discussed some preventative measures."

One precaution to take is mowing early in the morning when the fuel moisture is low, Cronin said.

Top photo via Town of Los Altos Hills/Facebook

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the type of mower officials believe sparked the fire.