Date: Thursday, December 22, 2005
Serving Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Topanga Canyon, Westwood & Hollywood Hills

Hollywood Hills Parking Poses a Fire Hazard
Posted by Irma Ramos on Jun 25, 2004, 22:20

HOLLYWOOD HILLS - This Wednesday officials called attention to the possible fire hazard created when Hollywood Hills residents  illegally park their vehicles in the narrow streets in front of their homes.

Officials warn that should a fire break out, emergency vehicles might not be able to reach the homes and residents in the area due to illegally-parked cars crowding the streets.

In accordance with a three-year citywide plan to update emergency evacuation scenarios, officials warned Hollywood Hills residents that if on "red flag" days they park their cars on the narrow streets, their cars would be cited and towed.

"We want to let people know we're going to be aggressive. DOT [Department of Transportation] is going to give tickets and tow cars away," Mayor James K. Hahn said.

The "red flag" days were described as days when the humidity is less than 15 percent and winds are 25 mph or above. Fire departments will indicate when the weather conditions meet these criteria by raising a red flag over the fire stations throughout Los Angeles.

Local residents expressed a willingness to cooperate with the parking rules. 

Some expressed opposition to the punishments.

Jessica, a local resident who lives off Franklin Avenue and Beachwood Drive, said, "If you live in the hills, then you should park in your garage. But if you do park on the street on one random day, finding your car towed away would be very harsh."

Another local resident, Alex, said that the methods of informing everyone of the red flag days were obscure and that it would make it "difficult to comply" with the red flag days.

The Hollywood Hills were not singled out as high-risk zones. The other named high-risk zones were Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, Mount Washington and Baldwin Hills in South L.A.