Smoke May Be Visible From Prescribed Burn In North Bay

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Smoke may be visible around Mount Tamalpais Tuesday and Wednesday as firefighters conduct two prescribed burns near Sky Oaks Ranger Station and Bon Tempe Reservoir, officials said.

Marin County Fire, working with Marin Water, planned the burns as part of ongoing vegetation management work in the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed west of Fairfax.

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The first burn could cover up to 79 acres south of the Sky Oaks Ranger Station between Bullfrog Road and Bon Tempe Road. A second burn, planned near the Pine Point area of Bon Tempe Reservoir, could cover up to 44 acres between Pine Point and Forman trails.

Officials asked residents not to call 911 simply to report smoke coming from the prescribed burn areas, saying emergency dispatchers need to remain available for actual emergencies.

The operations will also affect access around the watershed. Bon Tempe Parking Lot, Bon Tempe Road and Bon Tempe Channel Road North will be closed during the burns.

Sky Oaks Road will remain open, although drivers could encounter brief delays from smoke or temporary lane closures as fire engines patrol the burn perimeter.

Whether the burns proceed — and how much acreage firefighters ultimately burn — will depend on weather, vegetation and air-quality conditions, officials said. The operations could also continue additional days if crews need more time to complete the work.

Firefighters will remain in the areas for patrol and mop-up operations for at least several hours after burning ends.