To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: ADOPT Traffic Resolution No. 2026/4555 to prohibit stopping, standing, or parking at all times during “Red Flag” Events, Kensington area.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Traffic Resolution No. 2026/4555 to prohibit stopping, standing, or parking at all times during “Red Flag” Events, Kensington area.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or designee to amend Exhibit A if the State Fire Marshal amends the boundaries of the Very High, High, and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones located in Kensington.
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kensington Community Services District for parking enforcement in Kensington on red flag days.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
California is experiencing a greater number of “Red Flag” events - days when weather conditions are such that the potential for a wildfire is extremely high, including when relative humidity is 15 percent or less with either sustained winds of 25 mph or greater or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater for a duration of 6 hours or more, or when relative humidity is 10 percent or less for a duration of 10 hours or more, or when there is widespread and/or significant dry lightning, or for other hazardous local conditions.
The State of California, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has designated significant portions of the Kensington area as Very High, High, and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones that face greater risk of hazards during Red Flag events. The Kensington area contains narrow and winding roads, roads with tight curves, and critical intersections that would create choke points, making emergency response and resident evacuation extremely challenging in the event of a wildfire.
To increase public safety in the community of Kensington in the event of wildfire, the Kensington Community Services District and the Public Works Department has partnered to establish a Red Flag Parking Restriction Program.
This traffic resolution and memorandum of understanding will restrict parking on designated roads in Kensington. The Kensington Community Services District will determine Red Flag Warning Days and notify the Kensington community. The Kensington Community Services District will enforce the Red Flag Warning Days no-parking areas. Public Works will administer the traffic resolution and provide the necessary signage necessary to support the program.
Vehicle Code section 22507, Contra Costa County Ordinance Code section 46-2.004, and other applicable laws, authorize the Board of Supervisors to adopt traffic orders to prohibit parking at all times on County roads for various reasons.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Parking will remain unrestricted at this location.