An operator must never park in which of the following locations?

Parking in a fire lane is prohibited because these areas are designated for emergency vehicles to access buildings and respond to fires or other emergencies quickly. Blocking a fire lane can impede firefighting efforts and create dangerous situations for both emergency responders and civilians. Fire lanes are typically marked with signs or painted curbs indicating that parking is not allowed, and violations can lead to fines, towing, or other penalties.

The other options, while they may have specific regulations surrounding them, do not carry the same level of urgency or danger associated with parking in a fire lane. For instance, parking on the street or in a residential area is often permitted as long as it follows local parking regulations, and parking lots are specifically designed for vehicle parking, making them more permissible locations for parking.