Man causes fire while mowing lawn in Geyserville and is arrested

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Pocket fire in Geyserville

GEYSERVILLE, California. – When gardening turns into a disaster: A Cloverdale man who was mowing his lawn late Saturday morning is believed to have started the 11-acre Pocket Fire in Sonoma County.

The man, whose identity was not released by Cal Fire authorities, was reportedly riding a lawn mower, which is believed to have started the fire.

He was booked into the Santa Rosa Jail on three felony charges: unauthorized starting of a fire in a building or wooded area, and three misdemeanor charges of violating the California Health and Safety Code and the California Public Resources Code.

The fire broke out around 11:20 a.m. near Pocket Ranch and Ridge Oaks Roads.

Authorities said the lawn mower he was using was designed for wet, green lawns, not dry weeds or grass. They said the mower was used on dried, annual grasses up to 4 feet tall.

This is already the second arrest in connection with the recent grass fires.

Another arrest was made on Wednesday in connection with the Adams Fire, which was caused by weeds eating dry grass.

Authorities are warning residents that gardening tools can create sparks that can lead to wildfires.

In addition to lawn mowers, weed killers, chainsaws, grinders, welders, tractors and trimmers also pose a forest fire risk.