Oct 13, 2008 2:35 am US/Pacific
Red Flag Warning: Parking Restrictions In Effect
LOS ANGELES
With a Red Flag wildfire warning in place for the Southland because of dry and windy Santa Ana conditions, parking restrictions will go into effect Monday morning in parts of Los Angeles for the first time since New Year's Day.
The Red Flag parking restrictions, which are typically implemented in areas prone to brush fires, will take effect at 8 a.m. and remain until at least 8 p.m. Tuesday, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The restrictions in such areas as the narrow and winding roads of the Hollywood Hills are meant to ensure that firefighting equipment won't be impeded as they respond to fire calls.
"There will be the potential for ticketing and towing illegally parked cars," Humphrey said.
Residents can check to see if their areas are under Red Flag parking restrictions by visiting the city fire Web site at www.lafd.org/redflag.
Firefighting equipment has already been deployed to areas where brush fires are more likely to occur, and about 1,000 firefighters are battling a 2,100-acre wildfire that broke out early Sunday in the Angeles National Forest north of Sunland that has destroyed a home and three motor homes and prompted the evacuation of 1,200 people, plus horses and livestock.
The blaze is about 20 percent contained, and fire crews are trying to get it under control before Santa Ana conditions cause it to spread.
Mountain and coastal canyon areas will experience wind gusts in the 50s throughout the day, the Weather Service warned.
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