Humidity in Beverly Hills canyon zones is forecast to drop to 5% to 15% on Thursday, July 9, well below the 15% threshold that triggers the city's Red Flag Day parking restrictions. The National Weather Service extended a heat advisory through Tuesday, July 14, and issued an extreme heat watch through Thursday, July 16. As of Thursday morning, neither the Beverly Hills Fire Department nor the LAFD had publicly confirmed a Red Flag Day declaration.
Thursday, July 9, is one of the peak fire-danger days of the current heat event. The NWS described "enhanced vertical plume growth potential" on active or new wildfires across all valleys, mountains, and deserts through the end of the week.
Temperatures across Los Angeles County are running 10 to 15 degrees above normal, according to NWS meteorologist Spencer Fielding. Downtown Los Angeles is forecast to hit 87°F on Thursday, with valleys reaching 95°F to 102°F and the Antelope Valley topping out at 105 to 107, according to the NWS.
The Volcano fire in Riverside County burned more than 100 acres and forced evacuations on Wednesday, July 8. It was 45% contained as of Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Times reported. Smaller fires broke out in Montecito Heights on Tuesday, July 7, in Encino on Wednesday, July 8, and in Harbor City on Thursday, July 9. All were quickly contained.
What this means for hillside residents
The Beverly Hills Fire Department conducted evacuation drills earlier this year for residents near Franklin Canyon north of Sunset Boulevard and in the Trousdale neighborhood. Those same hillside zones face the highest exposure to the current conditions.
Cal Fire's 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps expanded the Very High fire hazard area in Beverly Hills. Residents can check their zone at osfm.fire.ca.gov or email [email protected].
Red flag parking: know before you park
As of Thursday, July 9, LAFD Red Flag Parking Restrictions were not in effect for Bel Air and Holmby Hills, according to the department's live status page. Residents should check lafd.org/redflag for real-time updates, as restrictions can be activated with little notice.
When Beverly Hills declares a Red Flag Day, street parking is banned on 16 designated hillside streets, including Benedict Canyon Drive, Coldwater Canyon Drive, N. Beverly Drive, Foothill Road, Tower Road, and San Ysidro Drive north of Sunset Boulevard. Vehicles can be cited or towed.
The LAFD program covers more than 1,700 posted signs in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across Los Angeles. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed without warning.
Looking ahead
NWS meteorologist Lisa Phillips said a slight cooling trend may arrive over the weekend as monsoonal moisture brings clouds, but cautioned that "it's also going to bring more moisture, which can make it feel more uncomfortable."
The U.S. Climate Prediction Center flagged Tuesday, July 14, through Monday, July 20, as a period of moderate-to-high extreme heat risk for Southern California. NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said the heat will likely redevelop by the following weekend, even if temperatures dip briefly after Thursday.
How to stay informed
- Beverly Hills: Text BEVHILLS to 888777 for Nixle alerts. Red Flag Hotline: 310-288-1444.
- Bel Air and Holmby Hills: Sign up for LAFD notifications at member.everbridge.net/77860777754730/new. Check red flag status at lafd.org/redflag.
- Statewide fire map: fire.ca.gov/incidents
