• The Point Reyes Beach as viewed from the Point Reyes Headlands

    Point Reyes

    National Seashore California

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Wildland Fire at Point Reyes National Seashore Started by Illegal Fireworks on July 5, 2002

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Date: July 8, 2002
Contact: John Dell’Osso, 415-464-5135

On Friday evening July 5th at approximately 6:00 pm, a small brush fire broke out at the southern end of the Point Reyes National Seashore. The fire began when illegal fireworks were lit in the wilderness area of Point Reyes, approximately two miles north of the Palomarin Trailhead, near Bass Lake. The fire burned 2.2 acres in total.

A 911 call came into Marin County Fire and crews from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), Point Reyes National Seashore, Bolinas and Stinson Beach Fire Departments responded to the fire. Fire retardant drops from CDF airtankers were used to stop the spread of the fire and made relatively quick work of preventing the fire from spreading. Superintendent Don Neubacher stated, “The interagency response to this fire was expeditious and shows how well the various fire agencies in the County work together.”

“National Park Service fire crews stayed at the site of the fire until 12 noon the following day to watch for any flare-ups and the chance of the fire rekindling itself,” stated Roger Wong, Fire Management Officer from Point Reyes National Seashore.

The public is reminded that fireworks are prohibited at the Seashore year round.

-NPS-

Did You Know?

Bubblegum coral. Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

On the Cordell Bank, just 32 kilometers (20 miles) to the west of Point Reyes, there are deep-water corals that are 10 to 15 meters (33 to 50 feet) high and estimated to be over 1500 years old. More...