LOS ANGELES — Southern California welcomed rain on Saturday, providing relief to firefighters battling several wildfires across the region. However, the heavy rainfall on recently scorched landscapes poses risks of new challenges, such as toxic runoff from ash.
In Los Angeles County, crews dedicated the week to clearing away vegetation, stabilizing slopes, and reinforcing roads in areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires, both of which erupted on January 7 during intense winds and led to the destruction of entire neighborhoods.
Forecasts anticipated that much of the area would receive about an inch of rain over the coming days. Still, the National Weather Service cautioned that residents should be prepared for the worst, including localized downpours potentially resulting in mud and debris flows down hillsides.
A meteorologist from the weather service, Carol Smith, explained, “The risk increases if a rain shower lingers over a burned area; it could generate debris flows.”
The rain began in the Central Coast region before progressing into Ventura and Los Angeles counties by the evening. It was projected to intensify over the weekend and possibly extend into early Tuesday. Flood watches were put in place for certain burn sites, along with expectations of snowfall in the mountains.
In light of the situation, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took action by issuing an executive order aimed at expediting the cleanup process and lessening the environmental consequences of pollutants resulting from the fires. Additionally, LA County supervisors approved an emergency motion to install infrastructure for flood control and to swiftly remove sediment from affected areas.
Fire crews worked diligently to prepare communities by filling sandbags, while county workers set up barriers, cleared drainage pipes, and maintained basins.
Officials issued warnings about the ash found in the recently burned areas, which includes hazardous materials such as incinerated vehicles, batteries, electronics, and household items, alongside potentially harmful substances like asbestos, pesticides, and lead. Residents were advised to utilize protective gear during cleanup operations.
The threat of debris flows following wildfires has become particularly pressing since 2018, when mudslides struck the town of Montecito, resulting in 23 fatalities and extensive damage to numerous homes after rain fell on bare mountain slopes scarred by a massive fire.
Although the upcoming rainfall was set to end weeks of treacherous winds and high temperatures, several wildfires were still active across Southern California, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, which collectively resulted in at least 28 fatalities and more than 14,000 destroyed structures. As of now, 81% of the Palisades Fire has been contained, while the Eaton Fire has reached 95% containment.
In northern Los Angeles County, firefighters have made notable advancements against the Hughes Fire, which led to evacuations for tens of thousands when it ignited on Wednesday in the mountainous region near Lake Castaic.
Meanwhile, in San Diego County, the Border 2 Fire continued to spread through a remote area of the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border, with little containment reported.
The anticipated rain is expected to break a near-record dry spell in Southern California, with much of the region receiving less than 5% of the average rainfall for this time in the water year that began on October 1. Currently, much of Southern California is classified under “extreme drought” or “severe drought” by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
