Evacuations Lifted After Fire Sparks Near Highway 37 In Novato

NOVATO, CA — A brush fire near Highway 37 burned one structure and prompted evacuations Tuesday afternoon in unincorporated Novato.

The blaze, called the Highway Fire, broke out around 1:30 p.m. along Highway 37 in the Novato/Black Point area, according to the California Highway Patrol and Marin County Sheriff's Office.

The blaze burned a small outbuilding on Green Point Lane and scorched 6.7 acres, according to the Marin County Fire Department and Novato Fire District. Officials initially reported that the fire burned 9 acres. Firefighters stopped forward progress of the flames by 2:40 p.m.

Evacuation orders were issued shortly before 2 p.m. for areas surrounding Crest Road and Green Point, Hampton and Woodview lanes, according to the sheriff's office. People were urged to go toward School Road to Atherton Avenue to evacuate.

The sheriff's office said shortly before 3:15 p.m. that all evacuation orders had been lifted, but that Green Point Lane would remain closed. The road reopened around 8:30 p.m.

The fire closed the ramps to and from Highway 37 in the area, including the transition ramps from Highway 101 to eastbound Highway 37, according to the CHP. A Sig-alert was issued for the area.

All eastbound lanes of Highway 37 reopened first. The westbound lanes reopened shortly after 3:45 p.m., according to the CHP.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.