Full Notification

City of Petaluma, California

Press Release

Fire Department, 198 D Street, Petaluma, CA  94952
(707) 778-4390 / Fax (707) 931-0668 /  E-mail: [email protected]

Date: September 21, 2018

Time: 12:39pm

Location:  McNear Peninsula

Type of Incident:  Vegetation Fire

Units Responding: Petaluma Battalion 9, Engines 9381, 9383, Brush Truck 9341, Lakeville Engine 9777, Cal Fire Engine 1472, Wilmar Water Tender 9496

Narrative:   At 12:39 pm today a Lakeville Fire unit in town shopping spotted a grass/brush fire near the Petaluma River, possibly off Hopper Street.  As they reported the fire to dispatch several calls started to come into 911 from different locations, helping to pinpoint where it was.  Petaluma Fire units responded as well as mutual aid resources from outside the City to assist.   The fire was found to be at the end of the McNear Peninsula, past Steamer Landing Park.   Units made access through the walking path to the River Heritage Center and were able to quickly extinguish the fire, holding it to about a half-acre.  No structures were burned or threatened.  There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.  The fire is still under investigation, but witnesses saw two people fleeing the scene after the fire began.  Pictures of the incident are attached. 

Fires on these hot days bring up bad memories of the tragic events we experienced almost one year ago.  Please visit our webpage for more information on how you and your neighbors can be better prepared.  http://cityofpetaluma.net/firedept/disaster.html
While initial attack units are responding to emergencies you may not get timely alerts or updates on the situation.  Being signed up with Nixle http://www.nixle.com/ and SoCoAlert http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/FES/Emergency-Management/SoCoAlert/ will help you stay informed.  Nixle can be adjusted on their webpage so that you only receive “Alerts”, the most critical of warnings, not “Advisory” or “Community” if you don’t wish to receive those types of messages.  SoCo Alert can be set up to send emails, send text messages, and call your cell and/or home land-line phone. 

Please continue to call 911 when reporting a fire or other emergency.  Do not call 911 to ask questions.  Understand that dispatchers will be inundated while receiving emergency information, dispatching the appropriate resources, and coordinating that response.  Use the networks you already have; friends, neighbors, radio, emergency alerts, etc. to stay informed.  If you do not feel safe where you are, please leave the area until you receive more information. 
The City of Petaluma and the entire County are working hard to be better prepared for diaster, do better at emergency alerting, and better at anticipating/responding to disaster.  We need the communities support by doing their part.  Have emergency supplies and a plan, sign up for alert systems, network with your neighbors, and be aware.  We’re all in this together.  
Come to Walnut Park this Sunday 11-3 to see the Disaster Preparation event the Scouts will be hosting.