Red Flag Warning In Effect For Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Gusty winds and low humidity will raise the risk of wildfires this week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for the North Bay mountains and valleys and other parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The red flag warning will remain in effect from 5 a.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. Friday, according to the NWS. The affected area includes higher terrain areas of Marin, Napa, Sonoma and East Bay counties.

"Any fires that start will likely spread rapidly due to the combination of dry fuels, strong and gusty north-northeasterly winds, and very low humidities," forecasters said.

North to northeast winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph are expected, while daytime humidity values will drop as low as 10 to 20 percent with limited to very limited nighttime recoveries, according to the NWS.

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.

All National Park Service beaches in Marin will remain open, but the following land-use restrictions will be in effect for the Marin Municipal Water District, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and Marin County Open Space District preserves during the red flag conditions, according to the county:

• Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), Leo Cronin Parking Lot, MMWD
• Mount Vision Road in Inverness
• Closure to Fairfax Bolinas Road
• 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.