Weather conditions predicted for this weekend, Saturday through Monday are CRITICAL in all parts of Marin. The Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning. The National Weather Service is predicting conditions similar to, or potentially exceeding, what was observed during the North Bay fires of 2017. Extreme fire weather conditions will impact Marin county. The weather service referred to the forecasted winds as “historic.” We aren’t taking this warning lightly at Fire Safe Marin, and neither should you. Prepare TODAY.
Marin County, CA — The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and High Wind Advisory for the North Bay Mountains, interior valleys and other parts of the Bay Area, which is in effect from 8 PM Saturday to 11 AM Monday.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has notified the County that it may activate its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) protocols in Marin County.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame with a combination of extremely strong north to northeast winds, with gusts up to 80 mph possible across the highest peaks and low relative humidity ranging from 10-20%.
The affected area includes both lower and higher terrain areas of Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and East Bay counties.
The concerns of this weather system are that fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and CAL FIRE have approved the strategic prepositioning and increased staffing of critical fire resources to include one strike teams, two water tenders, 1 fire Dozer, and additional Dispatchers and Chief Officers throughout the county during the Red Flag Warning.
The following landuse restrictions are in effect for the Marin Municipal Water District, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Marin Open Space, and The Point Reyes National Seashore during the Red Flag conditions.
- Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), and Leo Cronin Parking Lot, MMWD
- Mount Vision Rd, 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.
Residents are advised 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.
- The Mount Tamalpais State Park information number is 415-388-2070
- The Marin Municipal Water District information number is 415-945-1195
- The Marin County Fire Information Hotline number is 415-473-7191
From the National Weather Service:
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
Another offshore wind event will develop Saturday Night into Sunday. This event looks to be the strongest of this year and since the 2017 wine country fires. Strong northeast winds will only slowly ease later Sunday and persist right through Monday morning. This will be a long duration and extreme wind event.
Today (Friday, October 26) will be continued warm and dry with winds briefly turning onshore during the afternoon. There will be some minor humidity recovery and cooling of temperatures on Saturday but no significant changes. Strong and dangerous dry cold front arrives Saturday night into Sunday with very strong northeast winds. Frequent gusts 40 to 60 mph for the North and East Bay hills with slightly lighter for the Santa Cruz mountains. Winds only slowly ease by Sunday afternoon with moderate winds right through Monday morning. Another weak offshore wind event may arrive later Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. No rain for next 10 to 14 days.
Learn more about fire weather and Red Flag Warnings in Marin.
