Red Flag Warning In Effect For Marin County

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

The red flag warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Friday, according to the NWS. The affected area includes the 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, gusty north-northeasterly winds, and low humidities," forecasters said.

North to northeast winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected, with locally stronger winds possible over the higher ridges and peaks, according to the National Weather Service. Daytime humidity values will drop as low as 12 to 20 percent with poor overnight recoveries in the 20 to 30 percent range.

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:

• MMWD closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), Leo Cronin Parking Lot
• Mount Vision Road in Inverness
• Closure of Fairfax Bolinas Road
• All open burning and burn permits are suspended on public lands
• Closures of 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.