Park Regulations & Safety

Defensible Space

Protect Your Home from a Wildland Fire

A wildland fire in this area could threaten hundreds of homes. Emergency resources may be spread thin and it's possible that fire crews may not be able to reach every structure. It is important, therefore, that homeowners take measures to protect their own home. In fact, California Law requires it. Fortunately, some simple steps can make a big difference.

Defensible Space

Defensible space is the area around a home that can be landscaped in such a way as to reduce the chance that fire can reach the house. Fire uses vegetation like a road, and by removing or breaking up vegetation a homeowner can breakup or remove the paths that fire might use to get to the house.

These steps can greatly reduce the fire hazard around a home:

• Keep lawn green and cut low.
• Remove dead branches and leaves from yard.
• Remove vegetation immediately adjacent to home.
• Break up continuous vegetation such as shrubs or a line of trees.
• Limb trees up 10' from the ground.
• Cut back branches that overhang the house and back 10' from a chimney.
• Remove shrubs from under trees that can carry fire up into the crowns.
• Remove leaf litter from roofs and gutters and out from under porches, decks or wooden steps. Embers can travel several miles in windy conditions. Houses have been known to burn because embers, originating from fires miles away, fell into leaves in the gutters or under a porch!

These measures can reduce the chance that a fire might destroy your home. They also give emergency crews room to get in and defend your home. That's why it's called Defensible Space! Contact your local fire department for specific pointers on making your home more defensible.

lso visit the Firewise Communities and FIRESafe MARIN websites for more information on reducing the wildland fire risk to your home.

Coyote Alert

Recently, coyotes have been observed frequenting roadsides and pullouts, and even approaching cars, in the Marin Headlands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This behavior is consistent with coyotes that are being fed. National Park Service staff have documented people approaching and feeding coyotes in this area.

It is important that we discourage any sort of human interaction with coyotes. These actions are causing coyotes to lose their natural fear of people, become bolder and more aggressive toward humans. It is possible that some of the coyotes may need to be removed due to their habituation with people as a result of being fed. The Natural Resources Division and Law Enforcement Specialists have been using vexing techniques to scare the coyotes without harming them. They need the help of all park staff, park partners and visitors to be successful in these efforts.

Please report any coyote encounters or sightings of feedings to Wildlife Ecologist Bill Merkle at (415) 331-2894. Leave your name and phone number with your message and the time of the incident. Report aggressive behavior and attacks immediately to U.S. Park Police Dispatch at (415) 561-5510.

Diseases

Since 1995, large numbers of tanbark oaks , coast live oaks and black oaks have been dying in California's coastal counties. The epidemic, referred to as Sudden Oak Death, was first seen on tanoak in Mill Valley in Marin County. Since 1995, it has been confirmed in at least thirteen central coastal counties. In June 2000, University of California researchers isolated a previously unknown species of Phytophthora, a fungus-like organism, from dying trees. Relatives of this "fungus" caused the Irish potato famine, Port-Orford cedar root disease in the Pacific Northwest and are causing oak dieback in many parts of the world. In January, 2001 researchers reported "that a new species of Phytophthora isolated as early as 1993 from ornamental rhododendrons in Germany and The Netherlands matches the newly-discovered species found in California. This new species has since been officially named: Phytophthora ramorum. The name refers to the pathogen's tendency to cause infection on branches. Even in natural woodlands and forests where the stresses associated with human activity are largely absent, adverse environmental conditions such as drought or suppression of fire can be important factors affecting the health of trees. Tree death is often best explained in terms of environmental stresses that predispose trees to being attacked and killed by secondary agents. However, in the case of Phytophthora ramorum, it does not seem that any pre-disposing stress is necessary for infection. This is a very aggressive pathogen and can infect and kill otherwise healthy trees.

The earliest symptom in most oak species is the appearance of a bleeding canker of burgundy-red to tar-black thick sap oozing from the bark surface. Similar bleeding, though sometimes less viscous, is also seen on tanbark oak. From here, secondary invasions from bark beetles or fungus is common. Look for piles of bark beetle dust (frass), or fungus in addition to the bleeding cankers..

Important research discoveries are ongoing. Notable among them are the findings that

may be spread through infected wood, soil and rainwater. The leaves of foliar hosts such as bays, madrones and rhododendrons contain large amounts of spores which may be dispersed through the air under moist and windy conditions. However, probably the most important way in which humans spread the pathogen around is by moving infected soil along trails and through their shoes and car tires into other natural areas.

West Nile Virus (WNV) was first discovered in the West Nile District of Uganda in 1937. Researchers recognized that it causes severe encephalitis (swelling of the brain). It has emerged in recent years in temperate regions of Europe and North America, presenting a threat to public and animal health. The most serious manifestation of WNV infection is fatal encephalitis in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds, especially corvids such as crows and jays.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. Mosquitoes are WNV carriers that become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite. Resource managers in parks across the country are concerened about the health of resident and migrating bird populations.

The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to avoid areas of standing water, remove any standing water that you may have on your property, and protect yourself from mosquito bites when you are outside through protective clothing and insect sprays that contain DEET.

Stinson Beach

Visitors to Stinson Beach experience the pleasures of this quiet beach community. Whether hiking, enjoying a picnic, exploring the town, or relaxing on the beach, people continue to find Stinson Beach a great place to escape from the frantic pace of everyday life, just as it has been for over a century.

Stinson Beach is open year round every day. The entrance gates open at 9:00 a.m. Closing times vary depending on season. Check the posted sign when you enter the parking lot.

Facilities
Stinson Beach facilities include rest rooms, showers, picnic areas, and BBQ grills. A snack bar is open during summer months at the base of the main lifeguard tower. Rest rooms are located along the beach adjacent to each of the parking areas. The shower (cold) is located at the central rest room building. Picnic facilities are available on first-come, first-serve basis.

Rules and Regulations
• Pets are not allowed on the National Park Service section of the beach
• Dogs are allowed on leash in the parking lot, picnic areas, and on the county beach
• Alcohol is permitted if you are over 21
• No kegs or glass containers of any type are allowed on the beach
• Fires are permitted in designated spots in the picnic area only
• No fires or grills are allowed on the beach
• Inner tubes and motorized recreational equipment are prohibited in swimming areas
• Fishing is permitted under California Fish and Game Guidelines
• Permits are required for large groups and special events
• Camping is not permitted

Safety
Swimming is only recommended from late May to mid-September when lifeguards are on duty. Watch your children and keep them in reach at all times. Never turn your back on the ocean. Unexpected large waves, called sneaker waves, can wash farther up the shore than expected. People entering shallow water can be caught in rip currents and quickly pulled out into deep water. Rip currents are strong, swift-moving channels of water rushing from the shore out to sea. If you are caught in a one: stay calm and swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, then swim toward the shore with incoming waves. If you need assistance, wave your arms and yell for help.

Be aware of the potential for sharks close to shore in shallow water. Attacks have occurred here.

Directions
Stinson Beach is located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. From US 101 exit at the Mill Valley/Stinson Beach/Highway 1 exit. Signs will guide you to Stinson Beach. The road is steep and winding; vehicles over 35 feet long are not advised.

Marin Transit also provides rural transit service seven days a week to Stinson Beach with the West Marin Stagecoach. For more information on routes and schedules, please visit their website at: www.marintransit.org/stage.html

Muir Beach & Muir Beach Overlook

Muir Beach preserves a sandy strip of coastline where Redwood Creek reaches the ocean. High bluffs border the beach to the north and south, while wetlands and a lagoon can be found behind the beach. Nearby, the Muir Beach Overlook provides spectacular panoramic views in every direction (when the weather's clear, of course). North of the beach is the small community of Muir Beach.

Activities and Regulations

Hours:

• Last Sunday of January 6 pm
  (collect fees until 4:30pm, Vistor Center closes at 5:30 pm)
• Second Sunday of March 8 pm
  (collect fees until 6 pm, Vistor Center closes at 7:30 pm)
  note: this is also the start of Daylight Savings Time
• Third Sunday of September 7 pm
  (collect fees until 6 pm, Vistor Center closes at 6:30 pm)
• Second Sunday of October 6 pm
  (collect fees until 4:30 pm, Vistor Center closes at 5:30pm)
• First Sunday of November 5 pm
  (collect fees until 4:30 pm, Vistor Center closes at 4:30pm)
  note: this is also the end of Daylight Savings Time

Picnicking: There is a developed picnic area at the south end of the parking lot. Amenities include tables, grills, pit toilets, water (subject to availability in low-water times), and garbage cans.

Pets are permitted on the beach and in the picnic area. They must be on a leash of no longer than six feet at all times.

Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Grills are found in the picnic area, and three fire rings are found on the beach near the south end of the parking lot.

Beachcombing can be a wonderful way to explore the beach. Numerous shells and sea animals can be found along the water, and seals and sea lions are sometimes spotted offshore. Remember: All animals, plants, rocks, shells, and historic objects are protected in National Parks. Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.

Swimming: If you go into the water, use extreme caution. There are no lifeguards on duty at Muir Beach. Rogue waves and undertoe currents can occur without warning. Sharks have been sighted in the area. Swimming and wading is not permitted in the lagoon in order to protect wildlife habitat.

Please read the bulletin boards in the parking lot for the most current information and safety advisories.