Homeless Cookout Blamed for Grass Fire Wednesday

A cooking fire at a homeless encampment under the Petaluma River Bridge is believed to have caused a large grass fire Wednesday afternoon.

Petaluma firefighters arrived around 4pm to find a 40 foot by 60 foot area of weeds, grass and debris on fire between the river and Highway 101. A makeshift camping area, with a tarp and a tent directly under the bridge, could be seen at the center of the burned area, according to eyewitnesses.

Dion Reif was sitting in his office at the Petaluma Sheraton when he saw smoke and heard a series of loud explosions.

"I saw smoke and people from the marina running toward the fire," Reif said.

No victims were found or injuries reported and the fire officials were continuing an investigation into the cause of the fire. 

At one point, firefighters were concerned that the fire would move toward the Sheraton.

"If the wind had shifted, they would have had problems," Reif said.

The fire slowed traffic and even attracted a few gawkers on Petaluma Boulevard South as firefighters battled the blaze, approaching the fire from the railroad tracks and Lakeville Highway. Highway 101 was also temporarily shut down.

The fire department is reminding residents that no open fires are allowed in or around Petaluma and that fire pits or cooking fires should be used with caution and have covers for control. 

Kevin King contributed reporting