LOS ANGELES (AP) — More rain fell in parts of Southern California on Monday after mudslides caused mudslides over the weekend, helping firefighters but increasing the danger. Toxic ash flow In the wildfire-burned areas of Los Angeles.
Flood watches were effective for burn areas. From recent fires in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Altadena and Castaic Lake, said Joe Sarard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
“All of these fresh burns are very sensitive to high flows,” Sirard said, warning of minor amounts of rain within minutes. “This means that when we get above these thresholds, we have a significantly higher risk of mud and debris flows.”
Los Angeles International Airport received less than an inch (2.5 cm) of rain in the 24-hour period ending at 3 a.m. Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported. Smaller amounts were reported in surrounding areas.
School was closed Monday for four Malibu schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District “due to dangerous road conditions and access challenges to our schools,” school officials posted online.
A section of Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles County was closed as of Sunday afternoon due to a mudslide in the Topanga Valley, the California Department of Transportation said. Heavy snow fell on mountains in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Rain can have one benefit: It can help firefighters battling wildfires after weeks of windy and dry weather.
Los Angeles County crews spent most of last week clearing vegetation, edging slopes and reinforcing roads. Palisades and Eaton Fireswhich reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble and ash after collapsing during strong winds on January 7.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 11 people, was 90 percent contained Sunday. The Eaton fire, which broke out near Altadena and killed at least 16 people, is 98 percent contained.
gave Hughes Fire, The blaze, which erupted north of Los Angeles last week and prompted evacuation orders or warnings for more than 50,000 people, was 95% contained by Sunday evening.
In San Diego County, firefighters made progress on the smaller Border 2 Fire as it burned in a remote area of the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Much of the region was forecast to receive about an inch of rain over several days, but the weather service warned of the risk of localized cloudbursts that sent mud and debris flowing down hillsides.
“So the problem would be if one of those showers is going to be standing over the burn area,” weather service meteorologist Carol Smith said on social media. “That could be enough to create a debris flow.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order last week To speed up cleanup efforts and reduce the environmental impact of fire-related pollutants. L.A. County supervisors also approved emergency motions to install flood control infrastructure and to accelerate and remove sediment in fire-affected areas.
Fire crews filled sandbags for communities, while county workers installed barriers and cleaned drainage pipes and basins.
Officials warned that there was ash in recent burned areas. A toxic mixture Burnt cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paint, furniture and other household items. It contains pesticides, asbestos, plastic and lead. Residents are urged to wear protective gear during cleanup.
Concerns about debris flows following the fires have been particularly high since 2018, when the town of Montecito, just up the coast from Los Angeles, Destroyed by mudslides After a torrential rain, a huge fire burned the mountain slopes. Hundreds of houses were damaged and 23 people were killed.
The rain nearly broke the dry season record for Southern California. Much of Southern California is currently in “extreme drought” or “severe drought.” US Drought Monitor.
