News

Brush fire chars open space land near Page Mill Road

Multiple agencies are responding around the area of Page Mill Road and Skyline Boulevard

A fire started by a car that spread into the wild lands was burning near Monte Bello Open Space Preserve on Sept. 12. Photo courtesy of PG&E.

A brush fire on Midpeninsula Regional Open Space land is currently being attacked by firefighters from multiple agencies, according to an alert from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (Cal Fire).

The blaze, which was started by a noninjury vehicle accident and spread into Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District lands, was called in at about 3:49 p.m. and spread to about a quarter acre, according to Cal Fire. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.

A fire in the Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill Road area on Sept.12 was ignited by a car involved in a non-injury accident. Screenshot taken from video posted by Cal Fire CZU.

The fire was spreading north at a slow rate in the location of Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill Road in an area east of Skyline, Ethan Petersen, San Mateo County Fire and Cal Fire battalion chief said. Rangers evacuated and closed Russian Ridge Preserve out of an abundance of caution. Cal Fire asked that people avoid the area until it declares it is safe.

Petersen said the fire was on steep terrain and was wind driven.

Responding agencies included San Mateo County Fire, Palo Alto Fire and Cal Fire. A helicopter water drop was also used to douse the head of the fire, according to dispatch reports.

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At 4:30 p.m. the Palo Alto Fire Department was setting up a staging area at Alpine Road.

Fire progression was stopped at about 4:39 p.m.

As of Tuesday evening, crews were in the mop-up stage, Cal Fire said.

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Sue Dremann
 
Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. Read more >>

Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Brush fire chars open space land near Page Mill Road

Multiple agencies are responding around the area of Page Mill Road and Skyline Boulevard

by / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Tue, Sep 12, 2023, 4:58 pm

A brush fire on Midpeninsula Regional Open Space land is currently being attacked by firefighters from multiple agencies, according to an alert from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (Cal Fire).

The blaze, which was started by a noninjury vehicle accident and spread into Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District lands, was called in at about 3:49 p.m. and spread to about a quarter acre, according to Cal Fire. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.

The fire was spreading north at a slow rate in the location of Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill Road in an area east of Skyline, Ethan Petersen, San Mateo County Fire and Cal Fire battalion chief said. Rangers evacuated and closed Russian Ridge Preserve out of an abundance of caution. Cal Fire asked that people avoid the area until it declares it is safe.

Petersen said the fire was on steep terrain and was wind driven.

Responding agencies included San Mateo County Fire, Palo Alto Fire and Cal Fire. A helicopter water drop was also used to douse the head of the fire, according to dispatch reports.

At 4:30 p.m. the Palo Alto Fire Department was setting up a staging area at Alpine Road.

Fire progression was stopped at about 4:39 p.m.

As of Tuesday evening, crews were in the mop-up stage, Cal Fire said.

Comments

Bystander
Registered user
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Sep 12, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Bystander, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
Registered user
on Sep 12, 2023 at 5:06 pm

Close to home. Thanks to PAFD and all agencies working on this.


Claudette
Registered user
Woodside
on Sep 13, 2023 at 10:22 am
Claudette, Woodside
Registered user
on Sep 13, 2023 at 10:22 am

Racing. People killed, fires started, and they continue to race undeterred. Skyline is NOT a racetrack. We need
law enforcement.
Our firefighters are terrific, but they should have help from law enforcement to PREVENT these tragedies.


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