Rain is expected to bring relief to firefighters battling wildfires in Southern California, but heavy downpours on charred hillsides could trigger new dangers like toxic ash runoff. Officials are working to mitigate these risks and prepare for potential mudslides.
Rain expected to hit parched Southern California on Saturday will aid firefighters battling multiple wildfires, but heavy downpours could trigger new dangers like toxic ash runoff . Los Angeles County crews have been working throughout the week to mitigate the risks, removing vegetation, shoring up slopes and reinforcing roads in areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. These blazes, which erupted during powerful winds on January 7th, reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble and ash.
Although the National Weather Service predicts most of the region will receive less than an inch of precipitation, officials warn that the threat of localized cloudbursts causing mud and debris flows is significant.\The weather service office for Los Angeles emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the storm's impact, stating that while damaging debris flows are not the most likely outcome, preparedness for worst-case scenarios is crucial. Rain is anticipated to begin Saturday afternoon, intensify throughout the weekend, and persist into Monday. Flood watches have been issued for some burn areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to expedite cleanup efforts and mitigate environmental impacts from fire-related pollutants. LA County supervisors also approved an emergency motion to install flood-control infrastructure and expedite the removal of sediment in fire-impacted areas.\Fire crews have been distributing sandbags to communities, while county workers have been installing barriers, clearing drainage pipes, and preparing basins. Officials stress the hazardous nature of ash in recent burn zones, describing it as a toxic mix of incinerated materials ranging from cars and electronics to furniture and household goods. This ash contains pesticides, asbestos, plastics, and lead, prompting residents to wear protective gear during cleanup efforts. Concerns about post-fire debris flows have heightened since 2018, when the town of Montecito, north of Los Angeles, was devastated by mudslides after heavy rainfall hit slopes scorched by a massive wildfire. That tragedy claimed 23 lives and caused extensive damage to hundreds of homes.\While the impending wet weather brings relief from weeks of dangerous winds and low humidity, several wildfires continue to burn across Southern California. Among them are the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed over 14,000 structures. Containment of the Palisades Fire has reached 81%, and the Eaton Fire is at 95%. In northern Los Angeles County, firefighters have made significant progress against the Hughes Fire, which prompted evacuations for tens of thousands of residents after erupting Wednesday in mountains near Lake Castaic. And in San Diego County, the Border 2 Fire, burning through a remote area of the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border, remains largely uncontained. The anticipated rain will end a near-record period of dry weather for Southern California. Much of the region has received less than 5% of its average rainfall for this point in the water year, which began on October 1st, according to the Los Angeles Times
Wildfires Rain Ash Runoff Debris Flows Southern California Los Angeles Montecito
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