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Recent rainfall in drought-stricken Southern California is providing much-needed assistance to firefighters battling wildfires but has also sparked worries about toxic ash runoff from charred hillsides. Heavy rain in burned areas could lead to mudslides and debris flows, posing additional risks to communities already devastated by recent fires.
Los Angeles County crews have been working diligently to remove vegetation, stabilize slopes, and reinforce roads in areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. These fires, which broke out on January 7 during intense winds, left neighborhoods in ruins.
The National Weather Service predicted about an inch (2.5 cm) of rainfall across the region over the coming days. However, localized downpours could trigger hazardous mudflows. Meteorologist Carol Smith noted, “A single intense shower over a burn zone could be enough to cause debris flows.”
Rainfall began late Saturday, with more expected through Tuesday. Flood watches have been issued for areas recently burned, and snow is anticipated in higher elevations. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to fast-track cleanup and mitigate environmental damage caused by fire-related pollutants. Additionally, LA County supervisors approved emergency measures to install flood-control infrastructure and remove sediment from impacted areas.
Firefighters and county workers have taken preventive measures, such as filling sandbags, installing barriers, and clearing drainage systems, to minimize the risks of flooding. Residents in affected areas were advised to wear protective gear during cleanup due to the toxic nature of ash, which contains hazardous materials like asbestos, lead, plastics, and pesticides.
Concerns over post-fire mudslides have been heightened since the tragic 2018 Montecito disaster, where heavy rain on fire-scarred slopes triggered mudslides that destroyed hundreds of homes and claimed 23 lives.
Despite the rain easing fire conditions, wildfires continue to burn in parts of Southern California. The Palisades and Eaton fires have claimed 28 lives, destroyed over 14,000 structures, and are nearing full containment, with the Palisades Fire at 81% and the Eaton Fire at 95% contained as of Saturday.
In northern Los Angeles County, significant progress was made on the Hughes Fire near Lake Castaic, which forced thousands to evacuate earlier in the week. However, in San Diego County, the Border 2 Fire remains largely uncontained, burning through the rugged Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border.
This rainfall is breaking near-record dry conditions in Southern California, where many areas have received less than 5% of average precipitation since October 1, according to the Los Angeles Times. Much of the region remains in “extreme drought” or “severe drought,” as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
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