Patrons at waterfront restaurants in Tiburon and Sausalito will get a good view of the 250-acre fire burning on Angel Island.
Restaurant employees say Monday is normally a slow day but that Monday should be busier because of the Columbus Day holiday and the prospect of watching the spectacular fire die down over lunch.
"I can still see smoke but it's not as bad," said Kristen Capella, manager of the Horizons restaurant at 558 Bridgeway in Sausalito.
"I can't see flames, just smaller streams of white smoke. It looks like they've got a handle on it," she said.
The fire started around 9 p.m. Sunday and was 20 percent contained by mid-morning today.
"It was pretty amazing. Some people called today asking their reservations be moved inside, but it doesn't smell too smoky," Capella said.
Mary Russell, manager of Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon agreed the fire "looks almost out."
"There's not a lot of smoke," she said.
Jackie Scheurer, manager of Guayma's restaurant in Tiburon said she could see helicopters but no flames.
"It looks like it's getting under control slowly," she said.
About 40 campers were evacuated from the island Sunday night after the fire started.
The primary concern is the East Garrison area because it contains historical structures, Marin County Fire Battalion Chief Mike Giannini said. Firefighters are working to protect that area.
Fire crews are traveling to the island by boat, and engines by barges, but the biggest problem is the steep terrain and the wind, he said.
Giannini said there is speculation that the fire may have been sparked by a bonfire but that the cause has not yet been determined. No injuries have been reported.
