Model Rocket Fired Behind Lagunitas School Starts Vegetation Blaze

By Bay City News Service:

A model rocket fired behind Lagunitas School in San Geronimo started a 5-acre wildfire Friday afternoon, the Marin County Fire Department said.

The fire was reported around 2 p.m. and grew to five acres before it was 80 percent contained by about 4 p.m., Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber said.

Several homes near the school located at 1 Lagunitas School Road were threatened.

The fire spread from east to west along a narrow path that stretched a half-mile from the school toward Nicasio Valley Road and the San Geronimo Golf Course, Weber said.

Seventy firefighters responded, including 34 inmates overseen by Cal Fire. One firefighter suffered a minor knee injury, Weber said.

Three fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter from Cal Fire also responded as well as firefighters from Novato, Ross Valley and the Marin County Open Space District.

Weber said fire personnel were scheduled to be on the scene overnight to prevent flare-ups.

(Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone)