Skywalker Ranch's fire department helped put out wildfire in Marin

Skywalker Ranch, the movie ranch and workplace of famed filmmaker George Lucas, has its own fire department. Skywalker Ranch, the movie ranch and workplace of famed filmmaker George Lucas, has its own fire department. Photo: Sunny Channel Photo: Sunny Channel Image 1 of / 22 Caption Close Skywalker Ranch's fire department helped put out wildfire in Marin 1 / 22 Back to Gallery

Firefighters battling a blaze that exploded on Black Mountain in Marin County this week had the force on their side.

The Skywalker Fire Department, a private group at filmmaker George Lucas' Novato campus, sent three firefighters to put out the wildfire.

"It is pretty common for them to respond off of Skywalker Ranch for larger incidents," Marin County Deputy Fire Chief Mark Brown wrote in an email to SFGATE. "For the most part, they are treated just like another fire department in the county and if they are the closest resource needed, then they are dispatched to respond."

The Skywalker Fire Department has been in existence for 30 years and a has a mutual agreement with the county to assist when needed.

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The department also donated an engine to the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department in 2012. At first, Lucas' representatives were going to charge the volunteer department $55,000, about $45,000 less than its value, Firehouse.com reports. In the end, Lucas donated the fire engine.

The Bridge Fire started Wednesday afternoon near Nicasio Reservoir and was 100 percent contained by 3 p.m. Thursday. The quick-burning grass fire devoured 45 acres on a steep slope of Black Mountain, and some 100 firefighters from several departments helped battle the flames.

"Mostly we're pleased that nobody got hurt and we didn't lose any structures," Brown said.