Illegal Fire Ring in Quarry Park Prompts Officials to Remind Residents About Burn Ban, Red Flag Warning This Weekend

Campfires are illegal in Quarry Park but that’s not stopping someone this past month from having them on the Quarry floor of the park. 

With very dry weather and strong offshore winds expected to develop Thursday night and sweep through the region through Saturday morning, both a wind advisory and red flag warning are set to take effect, prompting park and fire officials to remind residents that campfires such as the one found recently in Quarry Park create a fire hazard under these conditions and are illegal.

“There is currently a statewide burn ban in effect, this includes the Coast,” said Clayton Jolley, Cal Fire Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal for the Coastside Fire Protection District. “The fuel moistures in San Mateo County, including the Coastside, are the lowest on record for the current date. Fuel moistures have a direct effect on the severity and rapidity of fire spread.”

When it comes to illegal campfires, the Coastside Fire Protection District Fire Code Ordinance allows for minimum fines of $250 with fines up to $2,500 possible, and they can be each occurrence, said Jolley, who recommends that residents should report active fires to 911 for extinguishment and citations and illegal fire rings to be reported to the property owner for removal.

In the case of the fire ring found at Quarry Park, it’s under the jurisdiction of the San Mateo County Department of Parks.

San Mateo County Park Superintendent Scott Lombardi says they take this very seriously since there is a statewide burn ban and there are no established campfire sites in Quarry Park.

“We are aware of the fire ring but as soon as we clear it out, another one is made,” he said.

Lombardi says they were first made aware of the illegal ring last month and since receiving reports that it’s still being used, will have a ranger monitoring the Quarry floor.

Jolley adds that the County has seen more fires this year than in years past and recent rain did not last long enough to bring fuel moistures back to normal levels. Couple that with windy conditions, causing humidity to drop, the fire risk soars, especially at elevations of 1,000 feet or above.

The next few days a dry, windy weather pattern will move into the area with a Red Flag Warning for the Santa Cruz mountains and surrounding areas, creating conditions in which fires can start and spread quickly, said Jolley.

Residents throughout the Bay Area are advised to lessen the fire risk by refraining from making illegal campfires, mowing dry grass, burning landscape debris such as leaves or branches and keeping vehicles off of dry grass and target shooting only in approved areas.

“I would urge all residents and visitors to the Coastside to be very careful with fire and ignition sources while they enjoy the recreation opportunities that abound on the Coast,” said Jolley.

Additional reporting by Bay City News Service