Red Flag Warning Prompts Multiple East Bay Regional Park Closures

EAST BAY, CA — Several East Bay Regional Parks are closed starting Wednesday because of red flag warning for the East Bay Hills.

The National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area issued a red flag warning from 5 a.m. Wednesday through 11 a.m. Friday for the North Bay valleys and mountains, East Bay valleys and hills, and the Santa Cruz mountains.

"Winds are currently out of the north-northeast and forecast to increase over the highest peaks and ridges to 15 to 30 mph, with gusts generally from 35-45, with maximum gusts up to 55 mph possible at the highest peaks," the weather service said.

Strong wind gusts are expected to mix down to the valley floors, and valley winds are expected to be out of the north-northeast, from 10-20 mph with gusts around 30 mph.

"These offshore winds will provide critical fire conditions with dry humidity values through the event, and even drier conditions overnight with poor humidity recovery expected due to the lack of marine layer," according to the weather service.

Because of the dangerous fire conditions forecast, the Park District has closed the following parks from 5 a.m. Wednesday through 11 a.m. Friday:

• Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Oakland (including Anthony Chabot campground)
• Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in Orinda
• Leona Canyon Open Space Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Orinda
• Roberts Regional Recreation Area in Oakland
• Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Berkeley
• Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley
• Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (including Alvarado Park) in Richmond

Further, the East Bay Regional Park District said its Fire Department is staffing several park fire stations alongside Cal Fire, which remains on high alert.