Hidden Hills

Red Flag Days

Red Flag Warnings are wind events that the NWS considers a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS), with extremely high winds and low relative humidities throughout the county. This is a major fire weather event, and any new fires in the Red Flag Warning area will have rapid fire spread, extreme fire behavior, and long range spotting in the Santa Monica Mountains region.

As fire season is now year-round, it is important that every resident of the City of Hidden Hills stay vigilant.

Leading the Region with Fire-Risk Activity Restrictions on Red Flag Days

In a regional first, the City of Hidden Hills has adopted a groundbreaking ordinance aimed at reducing wildfire risks during critical weather conditions. Ordinance No. 393, which took effect on April 9, 2025, makes Hidden Hills the first city in the area to implement specific, enforceable restrictions on fire-risk activities during Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Developed in coordination with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, this ordinance prohibits a range of outdoor activities known to pose ignition risks during periods of high fire danger—typically characterized by strong winds, low humidity, or dry lightning. The following activities are now prohibited during Red Flag Warnings:

    1. Use of portable outdoor barbecue grills.
    2. The use of any outdoor fire pits, fireplaces, or any outdoor fire of any kind for any purpose.
    3. Any outdoor activity that could cause a spark or flame.
    4. Outdoor smoking of tobacco, cannabis, or any inhalable product.
    5. The use of gasoline or propane-powered equipment for home or property maintenance or repairs (including, but not limited to, lawnmowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, grinders, trimmers, welders, portable generators, and similar devices).
      • Note: Permanently installed standby generators designed for automatic home backup power, portable generators used for providing emergency power to a home or for medical use, and gasoline-powered pumps for providing water are permitted.

This proactive measure underscores the City’s commitment to public safety and environmental stewardship. Residents are urged to stay informed about Red Flag conditions and to fully comply with these restrictions to help protect the community.

Read the ordinance, HERE

Here are Some Tips to Prepare for a Wildfire in LA County

  • Protect yourself using the LA County Fire Department’s Ready! Set! Go! Personal Wildfire Action Plan.
  • Prepare your family and home in case of evacuation.
  • Keep a working fire extinguisher on hand in an easily accessible location and train your family on how to use it.
  • Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, and be sure to check them regularly.
  • Create defensible space and harden your home against the possibility of flying embers. Walk around the outside of your home and make sure movable objects have been brought inside, secured to the ground, or are in safe places. Think of things like patio furniture, umbrellas, unlatched gates, basketball hoops, sports nets, etc.
  • Take extra time to inspect trees on and around your property. Look for loose branches and trees that should be trimmed back away from structures. For more vegetation and brush clearance tips, click here.
  • Don’t forget to re-sign up for a good old-fashioned AT&T hardwired landline service. When cell and internet communications get knocked out, landlines still work.

Helpful contacts:

Southern California Edison may activate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) within LA County. For detailed updates on Public Safety Power Shutoffs, please visit https://www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps.

For additional tips and resources on how to prepare for storm season, visit ready.lacounty.gov. Please visit alert.lacounty.gov to register for emergency alerts.