alerts
Short items of immediate importance for our community. (250 characters max.)
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Sun, Aug 23, 10:30amWest Marin
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Sat, Aug 22, 1:03pmEmergency
Red Flag Warning
SUNDAY, August 23, 5AM through TUESDAY, August 25, 5PM PDT
Marin County Fire Chiefs Association
For Immediate Release
August 22, 2020
Red Flag Warning In Effect for Marin County
Warning in place until Monday Evening.Marin County, CA -- The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the North Bay Mountains and other parts of the Bay Area, which is in effect from 5 AM Sunday to 5 PM Monday.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame for dry lightning and gusty, erratic outflow winds over existing wildfires.
The affected area includes higher terrain areas of Marin, Napa, Sonoma counties.
The concerns of this weather system are that fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. The strongest thunderstorms are anticipated to develop Sunday evening through Monday morning. Additional isolated to scattered dry thunderstorms are forecast to develop over land from early Sunday to late Monday. Weaker isolated
storms are possible off the coast as early as Saturday.Lightning will likely spark new fires across the region, including remote areas. Wildfires in remote regions may not become apparent until warmer and drier conditions allow them to grow. Erratic gusty outflow winds may result in dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior.
The following land use restrictions are in effect for the Marin Municipal Water District, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and The Point Reyes National Seashore during the Red Flag conditions.
Mt. Tam will be under total closure.
Roads north of Panoramic Highway are closed to motor vehicle traffic on Pantoll Road and Ridgecrest Boulevard. All park use permits north of Panoramic Highway are suspended, including filming.
Closures at Sky Oaks, Natalie Coffin Green Park (Ross), and Leo Cronin Parking Lot, all Marin Municipal Water District Land is under total closure.
Point Reyes National Seashore (National Park Service) is under total closure.
All open burning and burn permits are suspended on public lands.Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution during the Red Flag Warning because a simple spark could cause a major wildfire, including the use of equipment and machinery as well as smoking.
We are aware of heavy smoke conditions throughout Marin County. Please only call 9-1-1 to report a suspected fire (e.g., see active flames), but not to report smoke.
The Mount Tamalpais State Park information number is 415-388-2070.
The Marin Municipal Water District information number is 415-945-1195.
The Marin County Fire Information Hotline number is 415-473-7191.
Defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire.
To register for emergency alerts, visit www.alertmarin.org. To learn more about preparing for wildfire, visit www.firesafemarin.org.
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Fri, Aug 21, 4:33pmWest Marin
Due to the large number of wildfires & associated evacuations, webinar topic this month will be "Evacuations & Warnings: How to Survive a Wildfire." Join Todd Lando, Battalion Chief/Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Specialist at Central Marin Fire Department, to learn how to prepare your family, and yourself, to survive and safely evacuate a wildfire. Our originally scheduled webinar "Community Organizing for Fire Preparedness" has been rescheduled for next month. When: August 25, 2020 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada).
Join on Facebook live stream or via zoom here: https://firesafemarin.zoom.us/j/87382415962 - Alert Status:openLast modified:Fri, Aug 21, 3:51pmWest Marin
Quick to review. Is also on, along with other information: https://www.pointreyesdisastercouncil.org/safety-information
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Fri, Aug 21, 2:15pmEmergency
Dear Neighbors,
Here is a list I made to help us decide what we needed to take in case of wildfire evacuation. The list also priortizes what we would take if we have the time or the space - but starts with the most important items first. There are also some reminders of steps to take before you go.
https://tinyurl.com/ready2go20
Be safe, be well. - Natasha
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Fri, Aug 21, 2:13pmWest Marin
See attached info from HALTER: halterproject.org
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Fri, Aug 21, 12:05pmWest Marin
Rerunning Kathy Hartzell's good post below and adding: Sign up for nixle.com (landlines automatically included but you must register cell phones. You will get text or email if you don't get text). And regularly check Marin County Fire twitter and Marin Sheriff twitter:
https://twitter.com/marincountyfire?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwg...
https://twitter.com/MarinSheriff?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5...
https://twitter.com/marincountyfire?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwg...
We just received AlertMarin.org notification that INVERNESS, INVERNESS PARK and SEAHAVEN and all other areas down to the original Evacuation Warning have been included in the EVACUATION WARNING. Pack your to Go bag. Charge your devices. ETC>. You know the drill. Do this, then go outside and remove the flammable furniture from around the house (cushions, wooden things, etc.) ....it's all in the literature we've inundated you with for the past 2 years. BE ALERT. REGISTER with ALERTMARIN.ORG and be READY. STAY OFF HIGHWAYS other than to evacuate if at all possible.
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Thu, Aug 20, 11:18amWest Marin
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Wed, Aug 19, 2:03pmWest Marin
https://www.facebook.com/marincountyfire/?epa=SEARCH_BOX or call 415-473-7191
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Mon, Aug 17, 3:28pmWest Marin
A local resident advises he can make a battery for power outages. Since PGE is making a YETI battery available (copying PGE's rep Alex Porrata's info, below), this might be a backup or used for anyone without a medical need. I can put you in touch with him by forwarding your email to me. Also, you would have to do your own review of quality; whether it would serve your needs; and, if it would be for a medical device, whether the YETI battery offered by PG&E would be better for you. I just want to get the information out to the community.
"The systems that I design are made for a smaller electrical load [than a one-door, "regular" kitchen fridge]. They are perfect for charging a computer or phone for communication, keeping a medical device charged, running a small electrical device. If someone needed to keep medication cold, I could power a small mini fridge. ... During the last PSPS we had the basic battery backup setup at my house. We were able to keep our internet dish/router powered and our phones changed for five days, so that we could stay updated with news. That basic setup would cost approximately $900-$1000."
Previous post re PG&E's YETI battery:
WMCS, Marin Center for Independent Living and PG&E are looking to provide YETI portable batteries to residents who rely on an electrical device for living and will be impacted by the upcoming public safety power shutoffs that PG&E is sure to be scheduling in the near future. The process is incredibly simple and there is no medical proof required or income eligibility to qualify. Even CPAP breathing machines qualify! The batteries arrived and we’re anxious to spread the word to West Marin residents. [...] I am the WM contact so if anyone wants to hear more about the service or would like me to personally help them fill out the form, I am available to make Covid-19 safe, distant house calls. Here is the link to the super simple application.Public Safety Power Shutoff APPLICATION and a link to the website with more info on the services Marin Center for Independent Living provides. https://www.marincil.org(link is external)
Please don’t hesitate to contact me [Alex] with any questions. I hope we can secure back up batteries for WM residents who need them.
Best, Alex Porrata, PSPSOutreach Coordinator
alexporrata@me.com(link sends e-mail)
C. 415 300 6401 H. 415 669 9739~posted by Lynn, pointreyesdisastercouncil.org
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Sat, Aug 15, 2:44pmWest Marin
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Entire Bay Area for predicted lighting, which is in effect from 11 PM this evening (Saturday) to 11 AM Sunday. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected during this time frame.
Thunderstorms are forecast to develop over the South Bay and Santa Cruz region before midnight and then spread northward overnight. Not all locations will see thunderstorms, but any lightning strikes will likely lead to new fire starts given the current heat wave.
For any land use restrictions or closures contact the appropriate land management agency:
The National Park Service Point Reyes National Seashore is 415-464-5100
The Mount Tamalpais State Park information number is 415-388-2070.
The Marin Municipal Water District information number is 415-945-1195.
The Marin County Fire Information Hotline number is 415-473-7191.Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution during the Red Flag Warning because a simple spark could cause a major wildfire, including the use of equipment and machinery as well as smoking. ~posted by Lynn, pointreyesdisastercouncil.org
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Tue, Aug 11, 3:45pmWest Marin
I. Guidelines for planning/maintaining fire-smart landscape & support a healthy ecosystem: http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/Fire-smart_Landscaping/
II. Climate/Biomass Recovery Study: A working group of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority/Ecologically Sound Practices Partnership has started a Biomass Recovery study, working in concert with resource haulers and processors, to identify responsible ways to manage the increased amounts of organic material being generated by both wildfire prevention activities and curbside collection programs. The Biomass Recovery study is based on the solution/proposal endorsed by Drawdown: Marin, a county-wide campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically and prepare the County for climate change impacts. https://www.firesafemarin.org/about/news/entry/biomass-recovery-study
III. Webinar: John Hansen, FIRESafe Marin Firewise Liaison, and Belle Cole, Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority's Ecologically Sound Practices Steering Committee member. Topics will include Marin's participation in Firewise USA and a Marin partnership to maintain landscapes that are both fire-smart and ecologically sound.
When: August 25, 2020 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Topic: Community Organizing for Fire Preparedness
Join on Facebook live stream or via zoom here: https://firesafemarin.zoom.us/j/87382415962
~posted by Lynn, pointreyesdisastercouncil.org - Alert Status:openLast modified:Sat, Aug 8, 10:02amCOVID-19
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Wed, Aug 5, 12:16pmWest Marin
Point Reyes Station release., CA: On August 12, 2020 Petaluma Health Center, Inc. (PHC) – which operates 10 health clinic sites in Sonoma County and Marin County, including the Rohnert Park Health Center and three clinic sites in Point Reyes and Bolinas in West Marin – is due to unexpectedly lose Dr. Ajeet Sidhu – a full-time family medicine physician, providing care to Coastal Health Alliance patients in West Marin – as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is requiring him to return to Canada.
USCIS has denied Dr. Sidhu’s petition to J-1 visa waiver, which had allowed him to serve the people of West Marin.
Petaluma Health Center is committed to ensuring that patients in West Marin have uninterrupted access to primary care provider during a global pandemic. Recruitment for a primary care physician to serve the West Marin community is underway, and in the meantime physicians and other providers from Petaluma Health Center will provide care to Coastal Health Alliance’s patients.
On July 1st, Petaluma Health Center, Inc. (PHC) merged with Coastal Health Alliance, Inc. (CHA), in an effort to maintain and expand access to care for the people of West Marin, especially given the difficulty in recruiting health care providers to rural areas, which continues to threaten more and more Americans’ access to care.
Media Contact:
Pedro Toledo, Chief Administrative Officer
Petaluma Health Center, Inc.
707-326-7551
pedrot@phealthcenter.org###
- Alert Status:openLast modified:Tue, Aug 4, 2:40pmCOVID-19
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
CHA/ Marin County Public Health COVID-19 testing eligibility criteria changes effective 8/5/2020
Coastal Health Alliance (CHA) has been conducting community-wide, walk-up testing on Thursday morning between 10:00-12:00 since June, 11, 2020. CHA collects up to 75 samples each Thursday and sends them to the county lab for processing and results notification. In an effort to support the county process to speed up turnaround time for testing and focus on identifying the most likely cases, CHA testing will adhere to the following State and County approved eligibility criteria going forward.
You must live and/or work in Marin County.
For most of the groups listed below, Public Health recommends a maximum of one test per month. Groups, in the order listed below, will be prioritized in their position in the testing line, subject to change based on demand.
First Responders, including fire, police, park rangers and those who work in high-risk settings (i.e. hospital or medical clinic, long-term care facility, homeless shelter, etc.)
Essential workers: those who experience frequent contact with the public through jobs such as food service workers, grocery store workers, agricultural or food manufacturing, housekeepers, construction workers, personal caregivers, teacher, etc.
Those at risk due to age (over 65) and/or underlying health conditions.
Those who experience COVID symptoms including fever, chills, cough, congestion, sore throat, difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, or new loss of taste or smell.
Those with known close contact with a positive case
CHA and Marin County are taking steps to improve access to efficient, accurate testing and return test results in a manner that informs good public health.
Online Forums
Commons Connect Forums provide a virtual gathering place to those who live and work in the West Marin Community. (Access to this local online forum is limited to those who work and live in the geographical area outlined here.)
A single registration allows community members to post local events on the Community Calendar, to post items of immediate importance on Alerts, and to access all of the forums including:
- West Marin Soapbox: Campaigns, Causes, and Discussions
- Over-the-Hill-Gang: Rides and Errands
- West Marin Share: Reuse materials; share information and services - a money free zone
- West Marin Marketplace: rentals; things and services for sale
- Tending the Wild Collaborative: An Ethnobiology Project
- Local Food System Initiative: Food and garden related shares and information
- Think Local West Marin: Appreciation and applause for our neighbors
- Commons Connect Tech Support: Help with our Web site features
- Volunteering Opportunities in West Marin: Help our local non-profits
