Marin County Fire Chiefs Association

For Immediate Release

September 23, 2019

Red Flag Warning in Effect for Marin County

Warning to remain in place until Wednesday Morning

Marin County, CA -- The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the North Bay Mountains and other parts of the Bay Area above 1000 feet, which is in effect from 9 PM Monday Evening to 5 AM Wednesday.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame with a combination of strong off shore winds with gusts to 30-35 miles per hour and low relative humidity percentage ranging from teens to the low twenties.

The affected area includes higher terrain areas of Marin, Napa, Sonoma and East Bay counties. 

The concerns of this weather system are that fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.

In response to the increase fire weather conditions, Marin Fire Agencies have added additional staff, including eight fire engines, two fire crews, two water tenders, one dispatcher, and one battalion chief above and beyond our normal daily staffing. This additional staffing is funded by California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

The following land use restrictions are in effect for the Marin Municipal Water District, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Marin Open Space, and The Point Reyes National Seashore during the Red Flag conditions.

• · Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), and Leo Cronin Parking Lot, MMWD
• · Mount Vision Rd, Inverness (National Park Service)
• · All open burning and burn permits are suspended on public lands
• · Closures to Mount Tamalpais State Park - Roads north of Panoramic Highway are closed to motor vehicle traffic on Pantoll Road and Ridgecrest Boulevard.  All park use permits north of Panoramic Highway are suspended, including filming.

Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution during the Red Flag Warning because a simple spark could cause a major wildfire, including the use of equipment and machinery as well as smoking.

 The Mount Tamalpais State Park information number is 415-388-2070.

The Marin Municipal Water District information number is 415-945-1195.

The Marin County Fire Information Hotline number is 415-473-7191.

Defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. 

To register for emergency alerts, visit www.alertmarin.org. To learn more about preparing for wildfire, visit www.firesafemarin.org.