General Information

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 - days when winds are stronger than 25 mph, and humidity is less than 15%.

Several months ago, 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 fire. 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 were designated as the Red Flag areas and the Department of Transportation made 1700 new signs and placed them in these areas.

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 deadly catastrophy.

Ordinance No. 177215 [ Download .pdf ]

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