Red Flag Conditions Prompt Closures, Additional Staffing In Marin

MARIN COUNTY, CA – High temperatures, low humidity and offshore winds prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for much of the San Francisco Bay Area, including Marin County, on Monday, the first day of the fall season.

The red flag warning is in effect for the North Bay mountains, East Bay hills and the Diablo Range from 9 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS. The affected area includes the higher terrain areas of Marin County.

"A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly," weather officials said. "A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior."

In response to the fire weather conditions, Marin fire agencies have added additional staff, including eight fire engines, two fire crews, two water tenders, one dispatcher and one battalion chief above normal daily staffing, according to the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association. Additional staffing is funded by California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

According to the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association, the following land use restrictions are in effect for the Marin Municipal Water District, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Marin Open Space and Point Reyes National Seashore during the red flag conditions:

• Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross) and Leo Cronin Parking Lot (Marin Municipal Water District)
• Mount Vision Road, Inverness (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. Officials reminded residents that a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.