Petaluma Grass Fire Contained

PETALUMA, CA — Authorities said a brush fire that broke out Wednesday in Petaluma has been contained. The fire burning near Petaluma High School and Helen Putnam Regional Park was reported just before 3 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol.

Petaluma police confirmed that officers and firefighters were responding to reports of a vegetation fire in the area of La Cresta Drive.

In a 3:22 p.m. update, police said the blaze was contained.

Here is Petaluma Fire Department's statement about the incident:

"The Petaluma Fire Department, along with auto-aid from Cal-Fire, Rancho Adobe, Wilmar and Sonoma Valley Fire, responded to a reported wildland fire in the open space behind La Cresta Drive. The fire was burning uphill towards the top of the hill near the City of Petaluma water tanks and was threatening structures on La Cresta Drive. This area is in a Mutual Threat Zone (MTZ) that was established between Cal-Fire and the City of Petaluma. The MTZ provides a dual response from Cal-Fire and the City of Petaluma and a unified command during wildland fire season. Weed abatement work completed behind the structures on La Cresta gave firefighters defendable space that helped prevent the fire from spreading into the structures. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

"The fire burned an estimated one-fourth acre of dry grass. The fire was under control at approximately 3:30 p.m. and fully extinguished at 4:30 p.m.

"The cause of the fire is currently under investigation."

Photos courtesy Petaluma Fire Department