A warning flare

Grass fire in Coombsville sets off alarm we need to heed

Nothing turns the attention of Napans toward fire danger like a wind-blown column of smoke rising from the outskirts of town.

Monday afternoon’s grass fire off First Avenue did little damage — thanks to extraordinary efforts by local and regional firefighters, a strong response from Coombsville residents and weather conditions that gave everyone a little breathing room.

But the fire was within striking distance of hundreds of homes, several ranches and a couple of public schools.

The cause remains under investigation, but grass fires are common all over Napa County as the summer wears on. Simple sparks — from a power line, a PG & E transformer, a barbecue grill or even a vehicle striking a rock — have been known to cause a threatening blaze.

What can citizens do?

• Stay informed. Residents were calling the Register and attaching their comments to the updates we had on our Web site throughout the afternoon. They also took advantage of official updates on nixle, the Web site Napa firefighting and law enforcement agencies use to send out instant text and e-mail alerts to subscribers. To track local law enforcement and firefighter announcements and bulletins, register at www.nixle.com.

• Take care of your property and encourage neighbors to take care of theirs. The Napa Firewise program offers a range of services from advice on maintaining defensible space around homes to a list of fire-resistant construction materials and access to a wood chipper to take away the tree limbs and brush that might threaten your home. Visit www.napafirewise.org for more info.

• Don’t forget the threat. There is a great deal of fire fuel out there, from the hot eastern valleys to the forests of Mount Veeder to overgrown lots in our cities and towns. Plan an escape route and communication strategy with loved ones, and identify a gathering point all can remember. Be alert when you see or participate in activity that runs the risk of sending a spark into the sky.

Monday’s fire was a warning flare. Let’s heed it.

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