How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A riding lawn mower is believed to be the cause of two separate fires on the same property in Kelseyville Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters knocked out the two fires in just under two hours, according to Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells and Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli.
The two fires were located at 4465 Gaddy Lane, the chiefs said.
The first fire was reported at 4:33 p.m. and burned half an acre, they said.
Wells said a man was using a riding law mower to cut grass around a pumphouse, where the first fire was located. The man then moved to a field on another part of the property and sparked the larger 18-acre fire, Wells said.
It was as he was clearing the scene of the first fire that Wells saw the second one kicking up. The second fire was dispatched at approximately 5:06 p.m.
Kelseyville Fire, Lakeport Fire, South Lake County Fire, Cal Fire and Northshore Fire all sent resources, Wells said.
There were two air tankers and a helicopter, six engines, a water tender, two hand crews and a total of 50 personnel on scene, according to Wells.
The fires were fully contained at about 6:20 p.m., Bertelli said.
Wells and Bertelli estimated two to three hours of mop up would be required.
Meantime, the Northshore Fire Support Unit was responding to provide the firefighters with dinner, according to Wells.
A third fire in the Kelseyville area had been dispatched at approximately 4:43 p.m. It was located on Highway 29 north of Bottle Rock Road, the chiefs said.
That third fire was a small roadside blaze that was quickly contained, Bertelli said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
