Camino Alto brush fire frightens locals

By Sophia Weinberg

Abrush fire erupted on Camino Alto Avenue in Mill Valley on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

The citizens of Mill Valley were notified at 2:17 p.m. about the fire and potential shelter in place orders.

“Fire units from Mill Valley and Central Marin Fire are working on a 1/2 acre vegetation at the top of the Corte Madera Ave. and Camino Alto area. Smoke was seen in the area but no evacuations were needed at this time,” a tweet from the Official Police Department of Central Marin reads.

Community members expressed concern, shared photos of the fire, and conveyed gratitude towards Southern

Marin firefighters on multiple forms of social media, including Twitter and Nextdoor. One user, Rich Mertes, wrote, “That did NOT look good. It was spreading fast and shooting flames could be seen over here at Horse Hill.” on a Nextdoor post.

The fire was contained and then put out roughly around 3 p.m. According to an email sent out at 2:33 p.m. by Tamalpais Union High School District, there was no evacuation needed but everyone was asked to avoid the affected area. “My mom texted me during the day to let me know what was going on, but she said that they always had it under control so I never felt super wor- ried or like my house was going to burn down,” ASB President and Anna Harrell said. Harrell is a resident of Scott Valley, a neighborhood in close proximity to the fire.

Camino Alto Avenue was closed to through traffic until later that evening, causing backup on both Camino Alto and neighboring roads. Mill Valley Police Department is still investigating the cause of the fire. ♦