MARIN COUNTY — ONE red flag warning in marin county has put the region’s residents on high alert.
Leah Curran has lived in Marin County for four years, after moving with her family from Oakland.
“The first two years we lived here — 2020 and 2021 — were really bad fire years,” Leah recalled. “Like the year the sky was orange one day because there were so many wildfires going on all over the state, and the last two years have been nice, much calmer.”
KPIX First warning weather: Current conditions, warnings, maps for your area
However, she is vigilant as critical weather conditions for fires are expected over the next 24 hours.
“To be careful of ourselves,” Leah explained. “We have a fire pit, but it’s not woodturning, and obviously we don’t light it if there’s a red flag warning.”
Marimar Ochoa, public information officer for the Marin County Fire Department, stressed the seriousness of this warning.
“The conditions are critical, so any little spark could start a wildfire, and because of the high winds, that fire could spread very quickly,” Ochoa said.
She explained that the area is experiencing strong wind gusts of 40 mph and low relative humidity ranging from 15% to 25%. The affected areas include the Marin Coast area and neighboring Sonoma and Napa counties.
“There are no wildfires in the Bay Area right now, not specifically in Marin County,” Ochoa continued. “But there are always steps the public should take to prepare for wildfires; we are in that season, so make sure you are signed up for your local emergency notifications and have an emergency kit on hand in case you are part of an evacuation.”
As the Fourth of July festivities approach, Ochoa reminded residents of the dangers of fireworks.
“Fireworks are illegal in Marin County and most of the Bay Area, so we urge the public to go to areas where fireworks are allowed, such as the Marin County Fair taking place this week,” she urged.
Meanwhile, Leah Curran is committed to keeping herself safe during this high-risk time.
“We never set off fireworks here because there have been so many serious forest fires in recent years,” she said.
While the red flag warning remains in effect, residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared by signing up for local emergency notifications at AlertMarin.org.
