Fire Department Press Release – 10 San Mateo Ct 09-05-2026

San Rafael Fire Department - PRESS RELEASE

Abraham Roman, Fire Chief

Firefighters Make Quick Stop on Fast Moving Vegetation Fire

• Incident Commander: Paul Bernard, Battalion Chief.
• Date of Incident: September 5, 2026. Time of Dispatch: 3:56 p.m.
• Location of Incident: Hillside above 10 San Mateo Court, San Rafael, CA.
• Type of Incident: Vegetation fire.
• Incident Size: Approximately one acre.
• Damage Estimate: No damage to adjoining properties.
• Resources Assigned: 2 chief officers, 4 engines, Tam Crew, Cal Fire Helicopter, 1 paramedic ambulance, San Rafael Police, Marin County Open Space ranger, & San Rafael fire investigator.

Firefighters responded to a vegetation fire on a steep hillside above the homes on San Mateo Court in the Terra Linda area. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly advanced hose lines between the homes, through backyards, and up the hillside. The fire was burning through dry grass, brush, and trees, and firefighters immediately focused on stopping it before it could threaten homes on Sylvia Way.

Firefighters stopped the forward progress of the fire in approximately 30 minutes. Crews then began the process of fully extinguishing the fire and checking the area for hidden hot spots. Several fallen and dead tree limbs that had caught fire required additional time and effort to fully extinguish.

The Marin County Fire Department's Tam Crew, consisting of a crew leader and approximately one dozen highly trained personnel, assisted with the incident. The crew constructed a fire line around the entire perimeter of the burned area, creating a barrier of bare soil between the burned vegetation and unburned fuels. This additional work helped ensure the fire was fully contained and reduced the potential for the fire to spread or rekindle.

The fire was determined to be human-caused. Residents on San Mateo Court reported seeing juveniles near the location where the fire started. The juveniles appeared to be attempting to extinguish the flames before leaving the area. Firefighters also found evidence of areas where people had been congregating on the hillside. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire remains ongoing. One firefighter suffered minor injuring fighting the fire.

This fire serves as an important reminder that dry vegetation can ignite and spread quickly, particularly on steep hillsides. Residents can help protect their homes and neighborhoods by maintaining defensible space around structures. This includes removing dead and dry vegetation, keeping grasses and weeds trimmed, pruning trees and shrubs away from structures, and maintaining access for emergency responders. As we approach the height of the wildfire season, residents are encouraged to take a close look at their property and address potential fire hazards before a fire occurs. Creating and maintaining defensible space not only helps protect individual homes, but it can also provide firefighters with a safer area from which to defend the community.

PIO Contact:

Robert Sinnott, Deputy Fire Chief-Deputy Fire Marshal

415-485-5067 (desk)

[email protected]

Fire Department Press Release - 10 San Mateo Ct 09-05-2026