Red Flag Warning Puts Marin County Firefighters On High-Alert
MARIN COUNTY (KCBS) – High temperatures and a rash of grass fires in the Bay Area have firefighters in Marin County on high alert as a red flag warning has been extended through Monday morning in the North Bay mountains and East Bay hills.
Many residents who live in the heavily wooded areas near the slopes of Mt. Tamalpais are being warned, as firefighters go door-to-door, advising them to build a defensible space around their homes.
"It's actually critical around the whole Bay Area," said Marin County Fire Captain Tim Walsh. "We're charged with protecting these homes that are mixed within vegetation and when we get these kinds of burning conditions, it becomes critical that we have a chance to protect these structures."
Walsh said that to do that, they have to makes sure there's a defensible line around homes.
KCBS' Jeffrey Schaub Reports:
This is especially the case since it is unusually hot for this time of the year and especially dry with little rain during the winter and spring months.
CalFire officials said they have already fought 1,500 fires this year.
The red flag warning is in effect until 8:00 a.m. Monday morning for gusty winds and low humidity for areas above 1,000 feet. A red flag warning is issued when critical fire conditions are either occurring at the time of the warning or are expected shortly.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
