LAFD: I10 Freeway Windshield Survey Results | November 28, 2023
Channel: LAFD
Date: 2023-11-29

The Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) released the results of a windshield survey, today, of specific fire hazards at freeway underpasses, following a massive blaze on November 11, 2023, in the 1700 block of East 14th Street in Downtown Los Angeles, that led to the temporary closure of the 10 Freeway. The systematic survey was completed by Fire Inspectors, deployed by Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, in an effort to proactively diminish the risk of a similar fire occurring.

Though LAFD responds to 9-1-1 emergencies across the City of Los Angeles, LAFD code enforcement on state owned lands is expressly limited, by statute, to violations of the Health and Safety Code as relates to hazardous materials. While LAFD is not the designated agency for Fire Code inspections of State-owned land under freeways, in the wake of the 14th Street fire, LAFD Fire Inspectors proactively conducted windshield surveys of similar properties in the City of Los Angeles. In an effort to identify and act upon areas of heightened concern, LAFD Inspectors collected and organized the data, ensuring it can be quickly and efficiently shared with, and utilized by, the State Fire Marshal, who has fire inspection jurisdiction for state owned land.

LAFD Fire Inspectors are visiting every site to determine if any of the sites have Health and Safety Code violations related to Hazardous Materials. For any violations found, Inspectors will issue a Notice of Violation and ensure the violations are corrected. If Fire Code violations are found, Cal Fire will be notified.

During the windshield survey, which was proactively directed by Mayor Bass, the LAFD reviewed 50 similar properties, ultimately referring 23 to the State Fire Marshal for further attention.

LAFD will be taking the following steps to proactively address the risk of future fire incidents:

Inspect all freeway underpasses by Thursday, November 30th, 2023 (completed)
Coordinate with CHP to provide scene safety for LAFD Inspectors as they conduct inspections
Refer all Fire Code violations to Cal Fire
Assess sites for Health and Safety Code violations, such as, onsite hazardous materials storage that exceeds the State reporting threshold (55 gallons of a liquid, 200 cubic feet of a gas and 500 lbs. of a solid), or improper storage and/or use of hazardous materials
Issue Violation Notices and process them accordingly (Forthwith or 30-day follow-up)
Assess sites to determine if they generate hazardous waste and, per protocol, refer them to the L.A. County Fire Department for follow-up.
Locations flagged by LAFD Fire Inspectors requiring follow up action:

1320 Wilson St
2425 Enterprise St
1310 Elwood St
S/W Corner of Lemon St x Enterprise St
2200 Enterprise St x Lemon St 
2216 Enterprise St 
954 W Washington Blvd 
16th x Trinity St 
16th x Wall St 
17th x Grand Ave 
954 W. Washington Blvd 
1628 S. Central Ave #A 
1630 S. Central Ave
1468 E. 17th St
1501 E. 17th St
1651 Naomi Ave 
1100 E. 16th St. 
1630 S. Central Ave 
Under the 101/134/170 FWY interchange cross of Tujunga Ave
405 FWY x 110 FWY
110 FWY x Channel St
(lower) Pacific Coast Highway x Alameda St.
110 FWY x 105 FWY
“I want to thank Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley for coordinating this important effort and working with our state partners to ensure we are taking a whole of government approach to reducing the future risk of a similar incident,” said Mayor Bass. “As I said two weekends ago, the reason the 10 Freeway was safe and drivable for commuters this month, as opposed to next month, was the brave actions of our firefighters the night of the fire. Now, we must continue our work to keep Angelenos safe.” - Mayor Karen Bass

“In the wake of the massive fire under the 10 Freeway overpass, we quickly ascertained the fire was on property owned by the State, and subsequently, leased to private parties. Within hours of the fire, LAFD was in detailed communication with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which assigned Cal Fire Arson Investigators, as the land is within the State’s jurisdiction. To further our coordination with the State Fire Marshal’s staff, I formally assigned LAFD Fire Inspectors to conduct a systematic windshield survey to identify any similar property under freeway overpasses that warranted the State’s attention. Our LAFD Fire Inspectors surveyed more than 50 properties, ultimately referring 23 to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for further attention. While the State has fire inspection responsibilities for State-owned land, LAFD is committed to working collaboratively with the State Fire Marshal to ensure public safety in Los Angeles. The LAFD Fire Marshal’s Office continues to be in contact and collaboration with the State Fire Marshal on this matter.” - LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley