West Marin fire burns 2,739 acres, evacuations in effect

Aug. 25--Approximately 90 homes and businesses in a West Marin community were evacuated Monday and new warnings were issued as the swelling wildfire in the Point Reyes National Seashore moved east, officials said.

Sheriff's deputies went door-to-door after the mandatory evacuation was issued for those on Silverhills Road, Fox Drive and Noren Way south of Inverness Park. A new warning has been issued to communities west and east of Highway 1 between Sir Francis Drake Road and Lagunitas Creek.

An evacuation center was set up at the Marin County Civic Center. As of Tuesday morning, no evacuees had sought shelter at the evacuation center, officials said.

Incident page: Woodward fire

The 2,739-acre Woodward fire sparked spot fires up north and east near Wittenberg Trail, Sky Trail and Meadow Trail just west of the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Olema. By Tuesday morning, the fire ripped down into the drainages coming within about 100 yards of the Bear Valley Visitor's Center, officials said.

"We ask, if we issue these evacuation warnings that you get prepared, when we issue the orders that you leave," Marin County fire Chief Jason Weber said.

"We need the room and space," he said. "We have very limited resources across the state and if we have to make an investment in getting people out when it's too late it's going to take away from our ability to fight those fires which challenges us."

The fire remained at 5% containment, fire officials said. Based on historical fire data, available resources, the topography and weather, the Northern Rockies firefighting team that has taken charge of the blaze expect full containment by Sept. 8.

Since last week, more than 1,600 homes and businesses in Olema and Bolinas have been under a warning for possible evacuations.

There are 236 personnel attacking the blaze, including seven crews, 19 engines, five helicopters and two water-scooping planes.

Brandon Cichowski, the operations section chief of the Northern Rockies firefighting team, said fire crews were unable to get an infrared map reading of the fire Monday night. Officials suspect the fire may have grown another 300 to 350 acres overnight, he said.

Cichowski said fire crews have strong lines around the north and east side of the fire, but they haven't been able to contain those perimeters yet.

The fire was active Monday, shredding through thick coastal scrub that was up to 7 feet tall on the northwestern section of the conflagration. Fire crews were unable to safely navigate to that section. Attempts to douse the blaze from overhead aerial attacks fell short, as the water and retardant failed to reach the ground, allowing the fire to crawl underneath, Cichowski said.

Crews have been able to hold a strong line on the southern end of the blaze. The west side along the Pacific coast is contained, officials said.

"This fuel is extremely challenging," Weber said. "Some of the areas we're working in we have no recorded fire history, and it's decadent timber that hasn't ever burned and it's presenting a lot of challenges for us."

Evacuation warnings are in effect west of Shoreline Highway between Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Olema south to Bolinas and west of Highway 1 and Drake to the Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Areas west of Sir Francis Drake to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, continuing to the Bolinas Ridge Fire Road and the McCurdy Trail are also under warning.

The Point Reyes National Seashore is closed.

Smoke continues to billow into the air. Patchy morning fog is expected to clear out for sunny skies.

With a larger crew, officials are relocating the headquarters for the fire management team from the Point Reyes National Seashore Visitor Center in Olema to the former San Geronimo Golf Course.

This story will be updated.

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