Extreme Fire Danger Continues through October 14, 2010, with No Red Flag Warning in Effect

Date: October 14, 2010
Contact: Jennifer Chapman, 415-464-5133

The fire danger rating for the national parks in Marin County continues to be EXTREME today (Thursday, October 14), even though the National Weather Service has lifted the Red Flag Warning for the San Francisco Bay Area. The fire danger rating for the national parks in Marin County is determined from a remote automated weather station located on Mount Barnabe in Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

Based on the Extreme fire danger today, fire restrictions are in effect at these national park sites:

Point Reyes National Seashore:

1) All wood or charcoal fires are prohibited—(however, self-contained, portable gas stoves will be allowed 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.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area—(**Marin Headlands, Muir Woods National Monument, Stinson Beach and other areas in Marin County only**):

1) All fires, including cooking fires and charcoal grills, are prohibited—(however, self-contained, portable gas stoves, will be allowed at designated campgrounds and picnic areas); and
2) smoking on all park trails is prohibited.

Fire danger ratings are based on the probability of ignition; the effects of wind, slope and fuel; and the potential energy released by a fire in the given weather and fuels. A daily rating of Low to Extreme fire danger is determined based on the worst case fire weather scenario during the hottest, driest part of the day on an open, south facing slope. Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when a weather event is predicted in which a fire will be difficult to control.

Daily fire danger ratings and resulting park restrictions for a particular day are in effect until midnight.

-NPS-