Fire Weather Watch Issued For Mill Valley

From the City of Mill Valley:

Monday, October 7, 2019 – 9:30 AM

Advisory: Fire Weather Watch Issued by National Weather Service

Fire Weather Watch in Effect Late Tuesday Night to Thursday Afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch from late Tuesday night through Thursday afternoon for the entire North Bay, East Bay, and Santa Cruz Mountains. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly; outdoor burning is not recommended. Highest threat areas are all portions of the North and East Bay Hills, which will likely experience critical fire weather conditions. The time period of greatest concern is late Wednesday through early Thursday. Areas of greatest concern may be refined and updated as the event draws closer. Stay alert for updated forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

What does all this mean for you?

First, be prepared:

1. Review your Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
2. Prepare your home by enhancing your defensible space, and especially cleaning leaves from roofs, gutters, and around the base of walls.
3. Ensure your family and pets are prepared, and keep your “Go Kits” nearby.
4. Ensure your car has a full tank or fuel (or a full charge if electric!).
5. Ensure your cell phone is charged, and monitor phones for emergency alerts (sign up for them if you haven’t!)
6. Keep hydrated – it’s usually warm and dry!

Second, avoid activities that could spark a wildfire:

1. Don’t use barbecues or fire-pits outdoors (especially charcoal or wood models, but also gas or propane).
2. Don’t use a source of heat or open flame outdoors, including cooking, power tools (gas or electric), or mowers.
3. Don’t smoke outdoors.
4. Avoid driving or parking in dry grass or vegetation.
5. Avoid closed areas and be alert while visiting (open) public lands where wildfires might occur.

Weather Update:

The National Weather Service has advised that a low-pressure trough is forecast to drop into the Great Basin late Tuesday night and Wednesday. This will create conditions favorable for strong and gusty northerly winds across the entire North Bay and East Bay as well as the Santa Cruz Mountains. This will likely be the strongest offshore wind event in the Bay Area Hills, especially across the North and East Bay, thus far this season. There is potential to meet Wind Advisory criteria, and a Wind Advisory may be issued at a later time. In addition, a very dry airmass will sweep across the region by late Wednesday. Daytime minimum humidity values are expected to drop into the teens on Wednesday, and possibly to the single digits by Thursday. Nighttime humidity recoveries will be very poor, especially Wednesday night. The combination of strong and gusty offshore winds, very low humidity, and dry fuels will create critical fire weather conditions.

What is the difference between a Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warning?

Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service to notify the public and fire agencies in advance of critical weather patterns that may contribute to extreme fire danger and/or extreme fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may contribute to extreme fire behavior and that will occur within 24 hours (or when these conditions are currently being observed). A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because fires are more likely to ignite, and those that do are more likely to spread rapidly and be more difficult to control. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when fire danger is high or when Red Flag Warming conditions are predicted, but not yet observed. Learn more from FIRESafe Marin.

Public Land Closures:

Plan ahead: Marin County Open Space Lands and Watershed Lands may be closed (call to confirm). - Marin Municipal Water District’s Mt. Tamalpais watershed lands are closed to public motor vehicle traffic on Sky Oaks Road beyond Sky Oaks Ranger Station. - All watershed land use permits have been suspended. - Natalie Coffin Greene Park is closed to vehicle traffic. - 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.

This press release was produced by the City of Mill Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.