Woodward Fire: 4,626 Acres Burned, 57% Contained In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Crews continue to work to contain the Woodward Fire in Point Reyes National Seashore, which has scorched 4,465 acres and was 57 percent contained as of Thursday.

A total of 486 firefighting personnel were assigned to the fire Thursday, including 13 fire crews, plus 37 engines, four helicopters, five dozers, five water tenders and one masticator.

"This fire is going to be with us for a while," Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber said during Thursday's news conference. "We’ve got several weeks ahead of us and a lot of work to be done to get the park back to where it needs to be."

On Thursday, crews continued tactical backfiring operations in the portion of the fire closest to the communities currently evacuated. Planned tactics included drones, plastic sphere dispensers and hand ignition (back burning). Fire crews also continued mop-up operations on the southeast and northwest sides of the fire.

"The folks on the ground are accessing and finding where the heat is at, and they use water and hand tools. They basically go in and extinguish the fire in that certain zone," Operations Section Chief Brandon Cichowski said.

The fire, ignited by lightning, sparked Aug. 18 just south of the Woodward Trail, a few miles west of the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Olema and about a mile inland from Limantour Beach.

Thursday news conference update on fire:

Evacuation Orders and Warnings

The following evacuation warnings have been lifted: Drakes View, Inverness, Olema and Sea Haven, except an area around Point Reyes Park Headquarters. All other evacuation warnings and orders are still in effect.

View an interactive map of evacuation order and warning areas.

Closures

Point Reyes National Seashore remains closed to the public until further notice. This includes all beaches within the National Seashore and applies to Labor Day weekend. Coastal roadways are restricted to local traffic to provide for the safety of firefighting resources and the public.

Air Conditions

Varying degrees of smoke have continued Thursday but are expected to diminish over time. The presence of the marine layer and the weather will continue to be a factor in the degree of smoke that is experienced, fire crews said.

View the latest information on air quality.

SEE ALSO:

• Crews Continue To Work To Contain The Woodward Fire In Marin
• Woodward Fire: 3,269 Acres Burned, 17% Contained In Marin County
• Woodward Fire Holds At 2,860 Acres In Marin County
• Woodward Fire Now 8% Contained In Point Reyes National Seashore
• Favorable Weather Helps Crews Battle Woodward Fire In Marin
• Woodward Fire: 2,739 Acres Burned, 5% Contained In Marin County
• Firefighters Rescued From Fast-Moving Woodward Fire In Marin
• Point Reyes National Seashore Closed Due To Woodward Fire
• Wildfire Smoke Prompts Health Advisory In Marin County
• Woodward Fire Prompts Evacuation Orders In Marin County
• Woodward Fire: 2,259 Acres Burned, 5% Contained In Marin County
• Air Support Arrives To Help Fight Woodward Fire In Marin County
• Woodward Fire Burns 1,100 Acres In Point Reyes National Seashore
• Woodward Fire Prompts Evacuation Warning In West Marin