A wind-whipped grass fire Wednesday night scorched about a half-acre along southbound Highway 101 in north San Rafael near the Marin YMCA, which was evacuated as a precaution.
A vehicle with a mechanical issue is believed to have caused a spark that ignited the blaze around 8 p.m. between Lucas Valley Road and Manuel T. Freitas Parkway, said San Rafael fire Battalion Chief Kyle Hamilton.
Winds pushed flames up the hill toward the Marin YMCA on Los Gamos Drive, prompting firefighters to evacuate the center, Hamilton said. He said flames burned about 100 feet from the center.
Firefighters from San Rafael, Marinwood and Novato were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.