Brush fire in Marin County burns 13 acres

A roadside brush fire in the dry coastal hills of West Marin County burned 13 acres of ranch land before being stopped by an air and ground attack, according to Marin County Fire.

The fire was reported at 10:40 a.m. Monday, initially estimated to be about a quarter-acre in size off of the remote Marshall Petaluma Road – about two miles inland from Highway 1.

As with all vegetation fires in recent years, such reports generate a large response and 70 firefighters from four agencies headed to the area, which was difficult in spots to access. Cal Fire sent air tankers and three rounds of fire retardant were dropped, said Bret McTigue, battalion chief for Marin County Fire.

Due to the remote location, it took awhile for agencies to arrive and by then the fire had spread. There were no structures burned and while a few ranch homes were in the area none were threatened, McTigue said.

Firefighting bulldozers corralled the fire after about four hours, halting its growth. Most of the firefighters were able to leave by about 5 p.m.

Agencies participating were Marin County, Cal Fire, U.S. Coast Guard and Wilmar volunteers.

The cause remained under investigation Tuesday.