3-Alarm Brush Fire On San Bruno Mountain Contained
SAN MATEO COUNTY (CBS SF) -- A vegetation fire that started Friday morning near the picnic area in the San Bruno Mountain State and County Park in northern San Mateo County near Daly City was contained to 6.1 acres, North County Fire Authority officials said.
The fire was first reported shortly after 10 a.m. The San Francisco Fire Department posted on Twitter that a second alarm had been called at 10:53 a.m.
The fire sent a column of billowing black smoke into the air as it raced up a ridge nearing a row of homes.
"I saw the smoke. I came around and got on the north side of San Bruno State Park. I was able to get onto the fire road and within about 200 feet," said Jeremy McMillen.
Daly City police said the fire was burning near Alta Vista and Caroline. Police units are at the scene.
There is a fire on San Bruno Mountain near Alta Vista and Caroline. There are no evacuations at this time. We are standing by in case of evacuations, but the low winds are keeping the fire manageable. Please stay away from the area. pic.twitter.com/iI9nLU78CQ
— Daly City Police (@DalyCityPD) February 28, 2020
The fire was visible from the freeway and San Francisco International Airport. SF Fire said North County Fire was responding to the fire.
Cal Fire San Mateo also responded to the fire.
NCFA is at scene of a wildfire in San Bruno County and State Park. Multiple agencies are assisting. Fire is currently approximately two acres with a slow rate of spread and there are no evacuation orders or advisories. pic.twitter.com/cr817hswE2
— North County Fire Authority (@NoCoFire) February 28, 2020
A third alarm was called at around 11:20 a.m. The fire had grown to 3-4 acres as of that time. Cal Fire San Mateo said the fire began in the Battle Trail area as a 20 foot by 20 foot spot fire before spreading.
Smoke has been visible from across San Mateo County. Conditions are very dry. @CALFIRECZU There is a CAL FIRE helicopter making water drops. @sanmateoco pic.twitter.com/B39v756cvy
— North County Fire Authority (@NoCoFire) February 28, 2020
Firefighters said the blaze behaved like a fire that might occur the late spring or early summer.
"This was a small vegetation fire that quickly grew due to the dry weather we've been having lately, said Battalion Chief Jeff Huntze/North County Fire Authority. It is very unusual for February to have dry weather like this. And it definitely contributed to the fire activity."
By 12:40 p.m., the fire had grown past 6 acres. Sixty firefighters were on the scene and a Cal Fire helicopter made water drops. By 1 p.m., crews had a control line around it and were in "mop-up mode," Cal Fire said.
Fire companies will remain on scene throughout the night and into Saturday checking for hot spots and completing overhaul operations.
The fire was on county and state land, so local Cal Fire officials will investigate the cause.
No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened.
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