Fire Parking Restrictions in Effect Through Monday
Sunday, Jan 11, 2009 | Updated 6:30 AM PDT
No parking will be allowed along many hillside roads in Los Angeles on Sunday due to high fire danger. Starting at 8 a.m., parking will be prohibited along roads marked with "Red Flag-No Parking" signs, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The idea is to keep narrow, winding hillside roads open so that oversize fire rigs can get through in the case of an emergency.
The parking restrictions are expected to stay in place through Monday.
Some Southern California beaches are expected to see highs around 80 degrees Sunday beacause of the Santa Ana winds.
But forecasters at the National Weather Service scaled back predictions of possibly damaging winds in some areas, and wind advisories that were initially set to expire at 3 p.m., were changed to expire at noon. Parking restrictions remained in effect, however.
As winds out of the north and northeast spill over the mountains surrounding Los Angeles, they heat up due to compression. While the phenomenon, popularly known as Santa Ana winds, often brings clear skies and balmy temperatures, it also dries out the air and creates the potential for disastrous wildfires.
Another round of strong winds is expected overnight, and more unseasonably warm weather is expected Monday.
