Man Arrested After Marin County Wildfire

NOVATO, CA — A San Rafael man is accused of igniting a fire that spread through vegetation north of Marinwood, spurring a multi-agency attack by ground and air Tuesday.

Fire crews responded to a reported vegetation fire burning near Queenstone Fire Road and Chickenshack Fire Road around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday, officials said. Fire officials initially estimated the fire had spread to 30 acres by late morning but later revised the total to 18 acres burned by late Tuesday afternoon.

Smoke was visible from the surrounding region, and nearby cameras captured a helicopter dropping water over the hills north of Marinwood and south of Novato.

According to KRON 4, neighbors in Novato reported a strong smell of smoke, and the Southern Marin Fire District warned that smoke would continue to drift to nearby communities until the fire was extinguished. No evacuation warnings or orders were issued, and fire officials said no people or animals were known to be in harm's way.

During the incident, the Marin County Sheriff's Office said investigators became aware of a person who was potentially linked to the fire, and patrol units soon found the suspect near a Novato Safeway. Investigators identified the man as Colin Crook, 34, of San Rafael, and said he was taken into custody after a brief struggle with Novato police officers.

According to the sheriff's office, Crook admitted to starting the fire during an interview and said he had burned a tent and belongings, then left the area before extinguishing the flames to avoid getting in trouble. He was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of recklessly starting a fire on forest land and obstructing a police officer.

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