Update - September, 14: The Irving Fire is now 95 percent contained according to Marin County Fire Department. It’s still relatively small, presently estimated at 152 acres, and in fact the fire department says that it’s been roughly the same size all week and that the increase in estimated acreage was due to “better mapping” rather than fire activity itself.
Via Twitter, the department identified the cause of the blaze as a downed power line. Evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday, but residents should remain cautious while the fire still burns.
Another day another threatening wildfire, this time in Marin County near Samuel P. Taylor Park, which has prompted evacuation orders for nearby areas despite its relatively small size.
The Marin County Fire Department announced the beginning of the burn just after 8:20 p.m. Monday. Within an hour, nearby residents received orders to evacuate:
“An evacuation order is in place for Mountain King Road, Portola Ave, and Alamo down to Barranca. Residents in that area should evacuate immediately to the Lagunitas School and wait for further information. Alamo Road will be closed until further notice. [...]
All of Arroyo Road and Sir Francis Drake between Nicasio Valley and Platform Bridge Road [are closed as well.]
The designated evacuation area is 1 Lagunitas School Road in San Geronimo. By early Tuesday, evacuation warnings (not orders) were issued for Lagunitas and Forest Knolls.
The blaze, dubbed the Irving Fire, is small, estimated at only 100 acres as of Tuesday morning. However, Marin County Fire says that 150 structures are threatened and that the fire is only 10 percent contained, with local firefighters facing difficult terrain as they attempt to mitigate the burn.
An evacuation order is in place for Mountain King Rd, Portola Ave and Alamo down to Barranca. Residents in that area should evacuate immediately to the Lagunitas School and wait for further information. Alamo Rd. will be closed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/0eqevGsb83
— Marin County Fire (@marincountyfire) September 11, 2018
At present, Cal Fire is not responding to the Irving Fire. Marin County residents can call 415-473-7191 to receive the latest update on fire conditions and evacuation orders; however, it’s better to check the Marin County Fire Department and sheriff’s office social media and sites to avoid tying up phone systems.
Elsewhere in the North Bay, local officials called off evacuation orders in Napa County from the still ongoing Snell Fire but cautioned residents that the blaze (which is 45 percent contained at less than 2,500 acres) may yet threaten nearby communities in the Middletown area.
- Marin County Fire [Twitter]
- Fire In Napa County [Curbed SF]