This is an important message from the City of Los Angeles NotifyLA System
There is an expected destructive, widespread, and potentially life-threatening windstorm starting Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon in the City of Los Angeles. Wind gusts are expected to be 50-80 mph and reach 80-100 mph in certain areas. Red flag fire weather conditions will likely continue until Friday.
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
Scattered downed trees and power outages are likely to occur. When they do, Angelenos are urged to report power outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). Report downed trees and other non-life threatening hazards to 311 (213-473-3231) or at https://myla311.lacity.org/.
All in fire-prone areas should be ready to evacuate and take precautions to prevent fires. Areas particularly at risk include the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood Hills, Sylmar, Tujunga, and the Santa Monica mountains.
There are Red Flag Parking restrictions starting 8 AM Tuesday, January 7th until further notice. To view affected parking areas, search for your neighborhood in this LAFD interactive map: Red Flag Parking Restrictions. Updates regarding the Red Flag Parking status can be found at https://ers.lafd.org/redflag/.
Actions and Precautions
- Avoid using outdoor power tools, grilling, outdoor campfires, and barbecues.
- Ensure that cigarettes are fully extinguished.
- Keep flammable materials, including dry brush, away from homes and structures.
- Have emergency fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them.
- Remove any outdoor holiday decorations that can be blown away.
- Secure any outdoor furniture and any objects.
- Make sure gutters and shutters are secure.
- Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
- Prepare backup batteries for flashlights and other devices. Don’t light candles during power outages caused by wind.
- Watch for flying debris, as street signs and tree limbs may become loose during strong winds.
- Never go near downed power lines, since high voltage wires may still be active despite being downed.
- Avoid anything that may be touching downed power lines, including tree branches and vehicles.
- Park away from any tall trees.
Prepare for Wildfire Evacuations
- Sign up for NotifyLA Alerts and encourage your neighbors to do so as well. www.notifyla.org
- Leave your phone on to receive NotifyLA Alerts even if you are sleeping and don’t use “do not disturb” mode during high-risk weather.
- Monitor LAFD Alerts to see updates on Red Flag Parking Restrictions and active fire incidents in the City of Los Angeles. lafd.org/alerts
- Put your go-bag by the front door. Ensure that you have all essential items at the ready. https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/emergency-supply-kit/
- Plan multiple evacuation routes in your neighborhood in the event of a fire.
- Establish two meeting places outside your home: one you can walk to and another you can drive to. Inform all household members of these two meeting places.
- Park off-street. Back your car into your driveway or garage, leaving streets clear for emergency vehicles.
If fires occur during this wind event, smoke can travel hundreds of miles, so you can be impacted even if you’re not near an active fire. Health problems related to wildfire smoke exposure can be as mild as eye and respiratory irritation and as serious as worsening of heart and lung disease, including asthma, and even premature death.
People who must be outdoors for long periods in areas with heavy smoke or where ash is disturbed, should consider wearing a NIOSH-certified N95 respirator mask. Those with existing heart or lung conditions should limit their exposure by staying indoors, and closely following medical advice received from their physician.
