Novato Fire Protection District

Novato Fire District Rescues Occupant from Residential Structure Fire

On Friday, June 12, 2026, at approximately 10:26pm, Novato Fire District crews responded to reports of a structure fire near the 2000 block of Topaz Drive and Circe Court in Novato's Bahia neighborhood.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke coming from the residence and initiated fire attack and search operations. During the search, crews located one occupant inside the home, extricated the victim, and transferred them to paramedics. The patient was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The fire resulted in moderate smoke and fire damage to the residence. A fire investigator responded to the scene, and the cause remains under investigation.

This incident serves as an important reminder that working smoke alarms provide critical early warning during a fire and can help save lives. Residents are encouraged to test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries and units as recommended by the manufacturer.

Novato Fire District would like to thank our regional partners from San Rafael Fire Department and Marinwood Fire Department for their assistance.

Smoke may be visible in Novato, San Rafael, and along Highway 101 on June 17 and 18 as Marin County Fire conducts a prescribed burn in the St. Vincent area.

This planned operation supports wildfire risk reduction and provides valuable live-fire training for seasonal firefighters and our own 2026.1 Academy, helping them build the skills and experience needed to safely respond to wildland fires.

If you see smoke coming from the burn area, please do not call 9-1-1. Help us spread the word by sharing this information with friends, family, and neighbors.

Not sure where to start with wildfire preparedness?

Your Wildfire Risk Home Assessment can help. After your Assessment with one of our Wildfire Mitigation Specialists, your personalized Wildfire Risk Report will show what was found on your property and which improvements to tackle first.

Use your report to start with the highest-priority items and take it one step at a time. Be sure to mark completed tasks as “resolved” in your report.

Are you unsure if your property has had an Assessment? Do you want to request one? Check with us about requesting an appointment and visit the Evaluation Program webpage to access possible past reports you may have: https://www.marinwildfire.org/dspace

Together, we can make a more resilient Marin!

Learn more: https://firesafemarin.org/articles/home-inspections-2026/
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¿No sabe por dónde empezar con la preparación contra incendios?

Su Evaluación de Riesgo de Incendios en el Hogar puede ayudarle. Después de su evaluación, su Informe de Riesgo de Incendios personalizado le mostrará qué se encontró en su propiedad y qué mejoras debe atender primero.

Use su informe para empezar con las tareas de mayor prioridad y avanzar paso a paso. Asegúrese de marcar las tareas completadas como “resueltas” en su informe.

¿No está seguro si su propiedad ya tuvo una evaluación? ¿Quiere solicitar una? Consulte con su departamento o distrito de bomberos local sobre cómo solicitar una evaluación y visite la página web del Programa de Evaluación para acceder a posibles informes anteriores de su propiedad: https://tinyurl.com/Programa-de-Evaluacion

¡Juntos podemos hacer que Marin sea más resiliente!

Más información: https://tinyurl.com/Evaluacion-de-Riesgo-del-Hogar

We're hiring Firefighter/Paramedics and looking for dedicated professionals who are ready to serve a growing community while building a rewarding career.

Annual Starting Salary (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028)
• Entry Level & Lateral: $144,804.22 - $172,232.71

• Housing provided during the academy
• 48/96 schedule
• Comprehensive health, wellness, behavioral health, and peer support programs

Applications are now open. Visit our website for requirements, testing information, and application details.

https://www.novatofire.org/our-district/human-resources/employment-opportunities

Congratulations, gentlemen!

No call too small. Engine 65 crew assisted this little one back into the nest yesterday.

100 Years of Service Then & Now

Our first motorized fire apparatus was a 1923 Ford Model T, purchased by the citizens of Novato to help protect their growing community. Originally equipped with chemical tanks, the apparatus was modified in 1927 when a local blacksmith replaced them with a 160-gallon water tank and small fire pump. The Model T served Novato until 1939.

More than a century later, Engine 61 carries on that legacy. Placed into service within the last year, our newest Type 1 fire engine was built by Hi-Tech and wasn't simply ordered and delivered. Like most modern fire apparatus, it took months of planning, design, and construction. Firefighters, engineers, company officers, and our fleet mechanic worked together through the build process, making decisions on everything from compartment layouts and equipment mounting to hose loads and safety features.

Just as Novato's first apparatus was adapted to meet the needs of the firefighters who used it, Engine 61 was built specifically for ours. The technology, capabilities, and equipment have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, but the goal remains the same: making sure our firefighters have the tools they need to serve and protect the Novato community.

Calling all Marin County high school seniors interested in a career in the fire service!

The Novato Fire Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Steven L. Rucker Memorial Scholarship. One $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior pursuing higher education in Fire Technology, Fire Science, EMT, Paramedic training, or a related fire service program.

Established in memory of firefighter Steven L. Rucker, this scholarship supports students dedicated to serving their communities through the fire service.

Applications are due by July 15, 2026

Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/StevenRuckerScholarship