Just when our skies were clearing up! Yesterday’s outbreak of brush fires struck close to home, and fair to say we’re all a bit on edge—hyper-vigilant—attuned. The following is reposted from the Tuesday October 17 6:15 p.m. special edition of Sausalito Currents. Many thanks for an excellent and detailed report, as well as helpful links for how to prepare for a wildfire, how to stay informed, a link to yesterday’s Marin IJ coverage (plenty of photos) and, not least, the photos you see above. Additional links from County Supervisor Kate Sears follow on below. Finally, remember to keep your Grab and Go Bag within easy reach—for when it’s time to grab it and GO!
Update on Sausalito Fire at Southbound 101 — OCtober 17, 2017
At 12:03 p.m. today, the Southern Marin Fire District and Mill Valley Fire Department were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire south of Spencer Avenue, on the west side of Southbound 101. Responding units noted the smoke while en route and upgraded the response, bringing additional resources from Marin County Fire, Cal Fire, and Tiburon Fire, as well as law enforcement and park service personnel.
Units arrived on scene and found two vegetation fires in close proximity of each other, moving in a westerly direction. A rapid and aggressive attack, and the assistance of helicopters and aircraft, made it possible to quickly control, contain, and extinguish the fire.
Simultaneous to the firefighting efforts, law enforcement officers from the California Highway Patrol, National Park Service, Marin County Sheriff, and the Sausalito Police Department responded to assist with traffic control and evaluate the need for evacuations.
In an abundance of caution for the residents of Wolfback Ridge, officers and deputies used the public address horns on their patrol vehicles to warn residents of the fire and advised them of the option to voluntarily evacuate. Several residents chose to leave the area and assembled at Fire Station #2 at Spencer Avenue and Monte Mar Drive. Within approximately thirty minutes, the residents were advised that the fire was contained, and they could safely return to their homes. Officers on motorcycles also rode the hiking trails and warned several walkers and hikers to leave the area.
The cause of the fire was not obvious. Southern Marin Fire District fire investigators and working to identify the cause of the fires.
There were no injuries as a result of this fire.
Southern Marin Fire is taking protective measures to ensure that the fire does not flare up again.
More Information Resources:
- Marin County Fire Twitter Feed
- Sausalito Police Twitter Feed
- Article from Marin IJ
- FIRESafe Marin Facebook Page
- CHP Marin Facebook Page
Prepare for a Wildfire:
- Wildfire Preparedness from FIRESafe Marin
- Prepare for Wildfire from Cal Fire
- Go! Evacuation Guide from Cal Fire
To receive fire, emergency, and evacuation messages via text message, text your zip code to 888777. This will sign you up for Nixle local alerts.
Additional updates will be posted to the News section of the City of Sausalito Website.
AND from County Supervisor Kate Sears
This is yet another reminder for everyone to stay alert, be “fire safe”, and look out for each other. You can sign up for emergency alerts here:
https://www.marinsheriff.org/services/emergency-services/alert-marin
Residents can also subscribe to “Nixle alerts” by texting 888777 and entering your zip code, and Twitter users can stay up to date by following @MarinCountyFire.
REMINDER: Please use 9-1-1 ONLY if you are facing a life-threatening emergency. Otherwise, please call 2-1-1 for informational updates.