Los Angeles Fire Department

11/05/2024 | Press release | Archived content

Red Flag Alert - Parking Restrictions Ended November 7, 2024 at 8:00 AM

Due to forecasted fire weather conditions, the City of Los Angeles declared a Red Flag Alert with special Red Flag Parking Restrictions that began at 8:00AM on November 6, 2024, and ended at 8:00AM on November 7, 2024.

To determine the real-time status of Red Flag Parking Restrictions in the City of Los Angeles, and register for free notifications, please visit: https://lafd.org/redflag

LAFD uses the specific term "Red Flag Alert" to indicate forecasted or existing "Red Flag" fire weather conditions inside the City of Los Angeles. A "Red Flag Alert" is called when the wind speed is 25 miles per hour or more and the relative humidity is 15% or less. History has proven that a combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential.

It is important that fire apparatus have room to respond quickly to a fast-moving brush fire while simultaneously allowing residents to evacuate, if necessary. For this reason, special parking restrictions may exist on certain narrow streets in brush areas only during "Red Flag Alert" conditions. During Red Flag Parking Restriction periods, vehicles illegally parked in posted locations within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) will be towed. The parking restrictions are planned for at least 24 hours and will be reevaluated based on weather conditions. For areas in the VHFHSZ, please look for "Red Flag Days" no parking signs and ensure you are not violating the strictly enforced restriction.

Your Los Angeles Fire Department deployed resources and augmented staffing on November 6th. Two five-engine strike teams (one of which comprises Cal OES Type III Wildland Fire Engines) and three three-engine task forces (totaling 19 fire engines) were pre-deployed at select Neighborhood Fire Stations in-and-near areas prone to wildfire. Additional staffing was hired for Air Operations, Brush Patrols, Dozer Strike Team, Water Tenders, Metro Fire Communications and Wildfire Camera Monitoring.

Not all forecasts become reality, so LAFD Valley Bureau staff conduct real-time weather surveys, monitor Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) in and near the City of Los Angeles and consult the National Weather Service (NWS) to stay abreast of fire weather conditions and forecasts.

⇒ Please remember that radio and television weather reports are broadcast to a wider community than the City of Los Angeles, and the information they share on "Red Flag Warnings" may *not* apply to the areas served by your LAFD.

⇒ To find a car that was towed for being in violation of special Red Flag Parking Restrictions in the City of Los Angeles, please click here.