Staff reports
LAKE COUNTY — A grass fire that broke out Monday afternoon at Robinson Rancheria in Nice burned five acres and threatened homes, according to Fire Chief Jim Robbins of Northshore Fire Protection District (NFPD). The fire broke out at approximately 3:30 p.m. on a hillside behind homes on Manzanita Circle. Robbins said the fire was caused accidentally when a fire training crew clearing the area of brush struck a rock with a shovel, causing sparks to ignite. Four fire engines from NFPD responded to the incident. Robbins said a mutual aid request was sent out. One fire engine responded both from the U.S. Forest Service and the Lakeport Fire District. CAL FIRE responded with two fire engines, a helicopter, a hand crew from its conservation camp program and a large tractor to assist in cleaning up the area. According to Robbins, the helicopter was used to douse water on some brush and trees to prevent the fire from spreading. Robbins said the fire was contained within approximately 30 minutes and fully contained within approximately 90 minutes.
