Red Flag Fire Alert Issued for September 30, 2009, for San Francisco Bay Area National Parks

Date: September 30, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Chapman, 415-464-5133

National Park Service Fire Management Officer Roger Wong has recommended a fire alert for several parks in the San Francisco Bay Area in response to a red flag warning which was issued by the National Weather Service today. This red flag warning will be in effect from 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30 through 6:00 p.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009. The current warning is due to the low relative humidity and gusty north to northeast winds which are forecasted for the San Francisco Bay Area.

Restrictions that will be in effect Thursday within Point Reyes National Seashore are:

1. all wood or charcoal fires will be banned, although self-contained gas stoves will be permitted at designated campgrounds and picnic areas;
2. all previously issued fire permits will become null and void;
3. Mt. Vision Road will be closed to all vehicle traffic; and
4. smoking will be prohibited on all park trails and backcountry areas.

Restrictions that will be in effect Thursday on all Golden Gate NRA lands in Marin County, including the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods National Monument are:

1. all fires, including cooking fires and charcoal grills, are prohibited except for self-contained, portable gas stoves, which are allowed only in designated campgrounds and picnic areas; and
2. smoking on all park trails is prohibited.

John Muir National Historic Site and Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site in the East Bay are also in the area affected by the red flag warning.

-NPS-