Gusty Winds, Low Humidity Raise Risk Of Wildfires In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Gusty winds and low humidity will raise the threat of wildfires Tuesday in the North Bay mountains, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for Marin County.

The red flag warning will be in effect from 10 p.m. Monday through 8 a.m. Wednesday for the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills.

"The affected area includes higher terrain areas of Marin, Napa, Sonoma and East Bay counties," the Marin County Fire Department said in a statement.

"The concerns of this weather system are that fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 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, Marin County Open Space District, and the Point Reyes National Seashore during the red flag conditions, according to Marin County Fire:

• Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), Leo Cronin Parking Lot, MMWD, and San Rafael Open Space;
• 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.

Officials advised residents 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.