The Red Flag Alert and enforcement of special parking rules in portions of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday and remain in effect for at least 24 hours, according to LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey.

A list featuring the real-time status of temporary street parking restrictions and addresses affected is at LAFD.org/RedFlag

All vehicles parked illegally in posted locations within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone will be towed by the city, Humphrey said. The LAFD will reevaluate weather conditions on Sunday to determine if the Red Flag Alert will be extended.

The windy conditions are expected to primarily affect the northern portion of Los Angeles County, enveloping the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys, along with the Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas, the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.

Red flag warnings indicating critical fire danger conditions will be in place for those areas from 3 a.m. Sunday through 10 p.m. Monday.

“The onset of Santa Ana winds will bring rapid drying to the region late Saturday night, with widespread single-digit humidities Sunday into Monday,” according to the National Weather Service. “The strongest Santa Ana winds are expected Sunday, when gusts of 35 to 50 mph will be common, except gusts of 50 to 65 mph likely in the Los Angeles county mountains, Santa Susana mountains, western Santa Monicas, and wind-prone foothills. Dry and breezy offshore flow conditions will persist into Tuesday which may extend critical fire weather conditions across portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.”

Wind-prone coastal and valley areas, will experience winds ranging from 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph.

The red flag warnings will be accompanied in most areas by high wind warnings.

In Orange County, high wind warnings will be in place from 11 p.m. Saturday through 10 p.m. Monday in the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills and inland areas, with 20 to 30 mph winds anticipated and isolated gusts of up to 70 mph. OC coastal areas will be under a less-severe wind advisory, with winds gusting up to 45 mph.

The combination of gusting winds and dry conditions across most of L.A. County will raise the risk of wildfires.

“If fire ignition occurs, there could be rapid spread of wildfire that would lead to a threat of life and property,” according to the NWS.

Firefighters asked residents and visitors to:

— Report immediately to 911 any smoke or flames without firefighters present;

— Use extreme caution when operating any spark, flame or heat producing equipment in grass or brush areas;

— Access real-time LAFD alerts and subscribe to the free NotifyLA system to assure you receive official messaging;

— Have an evacuation plan that includes at least two exit routes from your area;

— Follow the orders of uniformed public safety officials, and if told to evacuate, to do so immediately, and;

— Report any suspicious or criminal activity to law enforcement.

Southern California Edison officials said the utility has begun reaching out to customers and public safety agencies about the possibility of Public Safety Power Shutoffs, in which power is cut in areas being battered by heavy winds that could damage electrical lines or equipment and spark wildfires.

According to Edison, roughly 150,240 of the utility’s 5 million customers are being notified that they are within areas that could potentially be impacted by the power cuts.

Edison offered a series of safety and preparation tips for residents:

— Check emergency supplies and have a battery-operated radio, flashlight and fresh batteries handy.

— Secure any temporary structures in backyards or businesses, including backyard furniture and tents, patio equipment and covers used in commercial settings.

— Do not touch downed power lines, but call 911 immediately.

— Don’t try to remove a broken tree limb or branch that has come in contact with a power line.

— At intersections where traffic signals are out, the crossings should be treated by motorists as four-way stops.

— If a power line falls on a vehicle, remain inside the vehicle and call 911.

— Use flashlights at home rather than candles to reduce fire danger.

— For people who use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord.

— Do not use any equipment inside that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking, due to possible emission of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. source

Critical Fire Weather Triggers LAFD Red Flag Alert and Parking Restrictions for Local Residents

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has issued a citywide Red Flag Alert due to expected high winds and dry weather, increasing fire risk in Los Angeles. The alert includes temporary parking restrictions in certain areas, starting at 8:00 AM PDT on Sunday, October 29, 2023, for a minimum of 24 hours. This alert applies especially to the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city will tow illegally parked vehicles in these zones.

Residents can check the status of the parking restrictions and if their address is affected on the designated website. The LAFD will review the weather conditions on Sunday to determine if the Red Flag Alert needs to be extended. The department highlights the importance of public cooperation in following the alert and its restrictions.

The LAFD urges residents and visitors to report any signs of smoke or fire immediately to 911, especially if no firefighters are present. People are also advised to be careful when using equipment that can produce sparks, flames, or heat in grass or brush areas.

Everyone is encouraged to subscribe to the free NotifyLA system for real-time LAFD ALERTS and official messages. It is also recommended to have an evacuation plan with at least two exit routes from their area.

Finally, the department advises residents to promptly follow the instructions of uniformed public safety officials. If an evacuation order is given, residents should comply immediately. Any suspicious or criminal activities should be reported to the police. source

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RED FLAG RESTRICTED PARKING PROGRAM

RED FLAG INSTRUCTION: In an attempt to increase public safety, the Fire Department and Department of Transportation have created a program to remove illegally parked vehicles in posted locations within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. This program was implemented with the assistance of the City Council to remove vehicles that create a hazardous condition on Red Flag Days. Station Commanders were asked to survey their district and identify critical areas where parked vehicles could delay citizens trying to evacuate and fire companies attempting to gain access during a Brush Incident. Station Commanders were asked to identify areas such as very narrow roads, hairpin turns, tight curves, and key intersections that, if not cleared of vehicles, would create a choke point. These intersections were highlighted and given to the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation made 1700 new signs and posted them in these identified areas, since January 1, 2006.

The goal of this program is to educate the public on the potential hazards associated with a fast-moving brush fire, and the importance of keeping roadways clear and traffic moving. The fire service has learned from incidents such as the Oakland Hills fire and the Cedar fire that citizens becoming trapped in their vehicles, while evacuating, can lead to a catastrophic situation.

source

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LOS ANGELES–

With a forecast for high winds and dry conditions creating high fire danger in the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Fire Department has declared a citywide Red Flag Alert with temporary street parking restrictions in designated areas.

This Red Flag Alert and enforcement of special parking rules in portions of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, will begin at 8:00 AM PDT on Sunday, October 29, 2023, and remain in effect for at least 24 hours.

For the current status of these temporary street parking restrictions, and to determine if your address is affected, please visit:

LAFD.ORG/RedFlag

All vehicles parked illegally in posted locations within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone will be towed by the City. The LAFD will reevaluate weather conditions on Sunday to determine if the Red Flag Alert will be extended.

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In addition to keeping affected City streets clear of improperly parked vehicles, firefighters ask residents and visitors to:

• Report immediately to 911 any smoke or flames without firefighters present.
• Use extreme caution when operating any spark, flame or heat producing equipment in grass or brush areas.
• Access real-time LAFD ALERTS and subscribe to the free NotifyLA system to assure you receive official messaging.
• Have an evacuation plan that includes at least two exit routes from your area.
• Follow the orders of uniformed public safety officials. If told to evacuate, please do so immediately.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to law enforcement.

source