Sonoma County fire officials warn against mowing grass during heat

Three Sonoma County grass fires were started Friday by people mowing their lawns in the afternoon heat, Santa Rosa Battalion Chief Jack Piccinini said Saturday.

"The good news is there was little property damage," Piccinini said. "But it's a good reminder to urge people to get their weed mowing and grass-cutting done early in the morning when the humidity is higher and temperatures are cooler."

The first fire took place in Occidental around 1 p.m. and burned about half an acre; the second scorched about an acre of Moorland Avenue in southwest Santa Rosa around 2:30 p.m., and the last singed a small spot off Occidental Road in west Santa Rosa around 2:45 p.m.