photo credit: Greta Mart/KRCB
Hikers on Mt. Tam's Rock Spring trail
on Oct. 8, 2023

If weather, fuel conditions and other fire-friendly factors align this week, the Marin County Fire Department may conduct a prescribed burn on Mount Tamalpais this week.

The department says if conditions are right, the burn would happen sometime between Tuesday and Thursday.

As much as 34 acres between Stinson Beach and Mill Valley on the southwest edge of the Mount Tam watershed could burn, according to the county. The total acreage will be determined by conditions.

Specifically, the burn would take place in the Rock Spring Trailhead area where Ridgecrest Boulevard and Pantoll Road intersect.

During the burn, West Ridgecrest Boulevard will be closed to vehicle traffic, and nearby trails closed to the public.

A prescribed, controlled fire allows the county to take a proactive approach to fire fuel management and will lead to a "more resilient, ecologically healthy watershed," the county said.

Although the operation will strictly adhere to the requirements of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the surrounding community may smell or see smoke, the county said. It is imperative that people do not call 911 if they see smoke, as multiple calls can overwhelm the system.