Marin County Fire Chiefs Association

For Immediate Release

August 22, 2020

Red Flag Warning In Effect for Marin County

Warning in place until Monday Evening.

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, which is in effect from 5 AM Sunday to 5 PM Monday.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame for dry lightning and gusty, erratic outflow winds over existing wildfires.

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

The concerns of this weather system are that fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. The strongest thunderstorms are anticipated to develop Sunday evening through Monday morning. Additional isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms are forecast to develop over land from early Sunday to late Monday. Weaker isolated
storms are possible off the coast as early as Saturday.

Lightning will likely spark new fires across the region, including remote areas. Wildfires in remote regions may not become apparent until warmer and drier conditions allow them to grow. Erratic gusty outflow winds may result in dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior.

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

• Mt. Tam will be under total closure.
• 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.
• Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), and Leo Cronin Parking Lot, all Marin Municipal Water District Land is under total closure.
• Point Reyes National Seashore (National Park Service) is under total closure.
• All open burning and burn permits are suspended on public lands. 

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. 

We are aware of heavy smoke conditions throughout Marin County. Please only call 9-1-1 to report a suspected fire (e.g., see active flames), but not to report smoke.

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.

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