Marin Crews Respond to Massive Petaluma Barn Fire

PETALUMA, CA — Firefighters expect 90 percent extinguishment of a hay fire in a barn west of Petaluma by 6 p.m. this evening, a Sonoma County Fire and Emergency Services Department spokesman said.

Several fire agencies — including the Marin County Fire Department — have been fighting the fire that is burning 400 tons of alfalfa hay in barn at 3286 Chileno Valley Road since it was reported around 2 a.m.

The 200-foot by 300-foot open-sided pole barn was destroyed in the blaze. The cause is under investigation, Department spokesman Brentt Blaser said.

Firefighters from the Wilmar Volunteer Fire Department will remain on the site overnight to monitor and extinguish hot spots or flare-ups, Blaser said.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are monitoring the air and have not issued health advisories, Blaser said.

Earlier Wednesday, firefighters estimated it would take two or three days to extinguish the fire.

Blaser said the alfalfa hay in the bar is tightly packed and the blaze was confined to the barn.

Firefighters from Cal Fire, Wilmar Volunteer Fire Department, Lakeville Fire Protection District, Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District, Marin County Fire Department and the Two Rock Coast Guard Fire Department also responded.

— Bay City News Service

(Photo/Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District via Twitter)