Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to driving in high winds and fire danger
A travel advisory sign is posted for high winds on Interstate 8 near San Diego last September. Meteorologists are warning high winds in Southern California this week could make high profile vehicles vulnerable.
(
Sandy Huffaker
/
Getty Images
)
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
Support for LAist comes from
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.
Driving basics
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
If you must evacuate in fire conditions
Zooming away from a fire might make you feel safer but there are still precautions you should take while driving:
- Drive slowly with your lights on. Watch out for fleeing livestock, animals, and people. Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
- Avoid downed power lines or dangling wires. Even if it appears not to be live, don't touch it or even approach it. Call 911 immediately.
- Vehicles offer no protection from radiant heat. Stay in the car only as the absolute last resort with the engine running, the windows up and vents closed, and the air conditioner on with the air circulating.
- Protect yourself from the heat and flying embers: Wear clothing that can protect your arms and legs, heavy duty shoes and make sure to protect your eyes with goggles or glasses. Wear a mask if you can.
Evaluate your risks
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.")
Support for LAist comes from
Sign up for local alerts
Sign up for local alerts. They’re a reliable clearinghouse for up-to-date news, and early warnings.
- L.A. County alerts ▶
- Orange County alerts ▶
- Ventura County alerts ▶
- San Bernardino County alerts ▶
- Riverside County alerts ▶
- Santa Barbara County alerts ▶
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.)
- Bookmark Fire.CA.Gov/Incidents, which gives you an at-a-glance look at blazes in progress. This is especially important if you plan on traveling.
- ReadyForWildfire.org is your friend to get everything prepped. It guides you through the three critical stages: READY (go bag prepped), SET (the ability to leave at a moment’s notice), nGO (get out of there as soon as authorities give the word.) It’s a great starting place on how to prepare your home and family.
-
Listen to our Big Burn podcast
Listen
• 39:42
Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
_
Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
- Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
- Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
- Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
- How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
- This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist