Topline:
Please, if you must drive be aware that road conditions are treacherous. We are hearing of debris on the road and power outages causing traffic lights to go dark.
Why it matters: Southern California is experiencing extremely dangerous fire weather. We should all be ready to evacuate in an emergency. And if you do need to drive, conditions may be harrowing.
Keep reading... for details on for a cheat sheet on what to watch for on the roads.
These fires are fast-moving and straight up frightening. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Palisades Fire
Eaton Fire
Watch CalFire for new incidents ▶
Please, if you must drive be aware that road conditions are treacherous. We are hearing of debris on the road and power outages causing traffic lights to go dark.
Advice from state safety officials and AAA on driving safely in strong winds
Park in covered areas like a garage. If you must park on the street, avoid narrow streets to allow emergency vehicles to pass through easily, and stay clear of parking under trees that can be easily uprooted or structures that could topple.
Fill up on gas, in case you need to evacuate.
When driving on freeways and busy streets, stick to the speed limit and avoid hard braking.
Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Keep an eye out for hazards on the road, especially if they can impede visibility. Pull over and wait for the winds to subside if you must.
Avoid driving behind high-profile vehicles or vehicles towing other cars as they can topple easily.
If you come to a traffic light that's out, treat it like a stop sign and take turns going through the intersection following the rules of the road.
Zooming away from a fire might make you feel safer but there are still precautions you should take while driving:
Want to take a closer look at some of your potential risks? First Street Foundation, a non-profit research group, has a new tool, called Risk Factor: Input your address for data about the risk for fire and flooding in your area. (The website notes, however, that this should not be relied upon for in-the-moment details about "active events.")
Sign up for local alerts. They’re a reliable clearinghouse for up-to-date news, and early warnings.
Be familiar with your reliable local news sources (we do our best here at LAist.com and LAist 89.3 to stay on top of any Southern California fires that lead to evacuations.)
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