Marin County Fire Chiefs Association

For Immediate Release

October 25, 2019

Red Flag Warning in Effect for Marin County

Warning to remain in place until Monday morning.

Marin County, CA -- The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and High Wind Advisory for the North Bay Mountains, interior valleys and other parts of the Bay Area, which is in effect from 8 PM Saturday to 11 AM Monday.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has notified the County that it may activate its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) protocols in Marin County.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame with a combination of extremely strong north to northeast winds, with gusts up to 80 mph possible across the highest peaks and low relative humidity ranging from 10-20%.

The affected area includes both lower and 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.

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and CAL FIRE have approved the strategic prepositioning and increased staffing of critical fire resources to include one strike teams, two water tenders, 1 fire Dozer, and additional Dispatchers and Chief Officers throughout the county during the Red Flag Warning.

The following landuse 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), Leo Cronin Parking Lot, MMWD, and San Rafael Open Space
• Mount Vision Rd, Inverness and Stinson Beach Parking Lot (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 and home hardening are 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.

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