As intense heat sweeps through the Bay Area this week, some parks are closed due to high fire risks.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the Bay Area beginning Tuesday, with the highest temperatures expected in the hills and inland.
Many East Bay Regional Parks, such as shoreline parks and swimming facilities, remain open during the heat wave, but officials warned park guests to take extra precautions due to the heat. Other parks (see below) will be closed due to extreme fire danger.
In an email announcement, the East Bay Regional Parks District recommended avoiding parks during the hottest parts of the day, wearing light clothing, drinking plenty of water and wearing sunscreen. They also advised to avoid alcohol and caffeine, which worsen the effects of heat on the body, and remember water for pets.
In the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space, some trails and parts of parks are closed on Tuesday due to a red flag warning issued for the Santa Cruz Mountains by the NWS, indicating extreme fire behavior. Stoves will not be allowed in the Black Mountain backpack camp at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
To help prevent fires from starting, Midpeninsula officials asked park-goers to avoid driving off roads, using mowers or other power tools and lighting flames, including in fire pits and barbecues.
The city of Concord has also closed some parks following a recommendation from Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, according to a city alert. There are currently no park closures in Santa Clara County.
In the East Bay, the following regional parks are closed from Tuesday until Friday morning:
• Wildcat Canyon
• Tilden (trails only)
• Huckleberry
• Sibley
• Leona Canyon
• Claremont Canyon
• Anthony Chabot
• Sobrante Ridge
• Sunol
• Ohlone
• Mission Peak
• Vargas Plateau
• Five Canyons
• Garin/Dry Creek
• Pleasanton Ridge
• Dublin Hills
• Sycamore Valley
• Bishop Ranch
• Las Trampas
• Briones
• Carquinez/Crockett Hills
• Black Diamond Mines
• Contra Loma
• Deer Valley
• Round Valley
• Morgan Territory
• Brushy Peak
• Vasco Hills
• Vasco Caves
• Waterbird
In Contra Costa County, the following parks are closed from Tuesday through Wednesday evening:
• Lime Ridge Open Space
• open space trails in Newhall Community Park
On the Peninsula, the following parks will be closed on Tuesday due to the red flag warnings:
• Grasshopper Loop, Harrington Creek and Folger Ranch Loop trails in lower La Honda Creek Preserve
• Mindego Hill area in Russian Ridge Preserve
• Wilbur’s Watch Trail in Cloverdale Range Preserve
