Marin County, CA – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for strong offshore winds and critically low humidity for the North Bay mountains and other parts of the Bay Area above 1,000 feet, which is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday, November 20, to 7 a.m. Thursday, November 21.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during the designated time frame with a combination of strong and gusty north to northeast winds, with gusts up to 35 mph possible across the highest peaks, and low relative humidity.
The affected area includes both lower and higher terrain areas of Marin County.
The concerns caused by the weather system are that developing wildfires likely will spread rapidly. 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.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) have approved the strategic prepositioning and increased staffing of critical fire resources to include one strike team, one water tender, hand crews and additional dispatchers and chief officers throughout the county during the Red Flag Warning.
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 Road, 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.
Here are other useful phone numbers:
- 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.