Petaluma firefighters stop grass fire threatening homes

Firefighters from five agencies stopped a grass fire that broke out Wednesday in open space at the west edge of Petaluma, jeopardizing city water tanks and homes, a Petaluma fire official said.

The blaze reported about 3 p.m. in the open space behind La Cresta Drive was burning uphill toward the water tanks and threatening homes, Acting Battalion Chief Chad Costa said in a press release.

Weed abatement work behind the homes on La Cresta Drive helped firefighters defend the structures, he said.

The fire, which burned a quarter-acre of grass, was under control by about 3:30 p.m. and extinguished an hour later. The cause is under investigation, Costa said.

Petaluma firefighters were supported by personnel from Cal Fire and the Rancho Adobe, Wilmar and Sonoma Valley fire departments.