Apocalyptic fires are burning across the Los Angeles, Calif. area and have been getting worse due to the seasonal Santa Ana winds blowing and spreading the ash and cinders across the area. At least five people have died in the area and tens of thousands have evacuated. Approximately 130,000 people are under evacuation warnings or orders, reports say.
In some cases, as people have begun evacuations, the fires caught up to them in the slow moving traffic. Authorities are urging those who abandon cars on the road to follow some simple guidelines outlined here. One absolute must is to leave the key to the vehicle in the vehicle so if emergency responders need to move it, they can. Some emergency responders resorted to using bulldozers to clear roads of abandoned vehicles yesterday. If the evacuees had left their key in the car, that could have been prevented and saved the emergency crews precious time.
Here are some guidelines, pulled together by Google AI, for abandoning vehicles in an emergency or disaster situation like the one in Los Angeles:
If you need to abandon a car during a disaster, prioritize your safety first, leave the car in a visible, accessible location away from traffic, and clearly mark it with your contact information if possible; try to park on the side of the road, remove valuables and leave the keys in the ignition so emergency personnel can easily access it if needed.
Key steps to take when abandoning a car in a disaster:
- Ensure your safety: This is the top priority. If leaving your car is necessary to reach safety, do so immediately.
- Choose a visible spot: Park your car on the side of the road or in a clear area where emergency responders can easily see it.
Remove valuables: Take any important documents, personal belongings, and valuables with you. Leave the keys in the ignition: This allows emergency personnel to easily access your car if needed.
- Mark your car with contact information: If possible, write your name and contact number on a visible piece of paper and leave it on the dashboard or inside the windshield.
- Inform authorities if possible: If you can reach emergency services, let them know you have abandoned your car and its location.
Important considerations:
- Local laws: Check local regulations regarding abandoned vehicles in your area, as laws may vary depending on the situation.
- Environmental impact: Try to park in a way that minimizes potential environmental damage, such as not leaving fluids leaking on the ground.
- Document your car: Take photos of your car’s condition and its location for insurance purposes if needed.
As some residents raced toward safety, fire trucks have been moving up the hilly area surrounding Los Angeles to try and contain the blaze. Logjams of cars on roads Wednesday evening and Thursday morning were slowing or preventing the emergency vehicles from getting through. In some areas, evacuees were told to abandon their cars on the road because the winds had shifted and the traffic was not moving. They were told to walk or run away from the approaching flames.
“Traffic is jammed to fire trucks and police vehicles, as well as people trying to leave,” Scott Dill, a resident of the area told CNN reporters on Wednesday. Rows of vehicles were left on the roads in the area as first responders try to access to the scene.
The areas roads are often curvy and carve a treacherous path through the Hollywood Hills. They are difficult to navigate, even in good weather. Many residential streets have frequent bends, no sidewalks and little space for two-way traffic.
“Up here on the hill, the roads are just so small. There is barely any room for fire trucks,” Studio City resident Brandon Jones told KABC in a news report.