Two boys suspected in grass fire near southwest Santa Rosa homes

Two boys suspected of playing with matches or a lighter may have started a grass fire in a southwest Santa Rosa neighborhood early Tuesday afternoon that briefly threatened a dozen homes, said a Santa Rosa fire official.

The fire burned about 4 acres of a 20-acre field of open space behind Victoria, Tuxhorn and Pebblecreek drives, south of Hearn Avenue and west of Highway 101.

Santa Rosa Battalion Chief Mark Basque said the fire briefly threatened homes along Victoria Drive as well as a few abandoned homes along the northern stretch of the fire.

Starting about 12:45 p.m., numerous people began dialing 911 to report flames in the field. At least one caller said two kids had run from the field as the fire started.

Santa Rosa police officers found the youths, Basque said, and police and fire prevention officers talked to them as firefighters mopped up the charred field.

Eight fire engines responded - half from Santa Rosa and the others from Cal Fire and Rincon Valley fire.

The fire sent smoke across a broad area of Santa Rosa, including downtown.

-Randi Rossmann