Rain in California is helping firefighters respond to wildfires, but poses the risk of toxic ash runoff
Rain fell in Southern California after weeks of windy and dry weather, which is expected to help firefighters more firesbut potentially heavy rain on burned hillsides could cause toxic ash runoff.
Los Angeles County crews have spent the past week clearing vegetation, grading slopes and reinforcing roads in areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires earlier this month.
Most of the region was forecast to receive about an inch of rainfall over several days, but the National Weather Service said the “threat is high enough to prepare for the worst-case scenario” of localized clouds leading to mud and debris sliding down hills.
“So the problem would be if one of those showers were to park in a burn area,” said Weather Service meteorologist Carol Smith. “That could be enough to create a debris flow.”
Workers secure netting to keep mud from flowing over the burned side of a summer home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP)
Rains began late Saturday and were expected to increase Sunday and potentially continue into early Tuesday, according to forecasters. Flood watches were issued for some burn areas, while mountains were expected to receive snow.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, issued an executive order last week to speed up cleanup efforts and reduce the impacts of fire-related pollutants. Los Angeles County Supervisors also approved an emergency proposal to establish flood control infrastructure and accelerate and remove sediment in areas affected by fires.
Firefighters battle the Laguna fire Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Camarillo, California. (AP)
Ash in recent burn areas is a toxic mix of burned cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paint, furniture and other household items, officials said. The ash contains pesticides, asbestos, plastic and lead. Officials urged residents to wear protective gear when cleaning up.
Concerns about potential debris from the wildfires have been particularly high since 2018, when the town of Montecito faced mudslides after mudslides pummeled bare mountainsides. A total of 23 people died, and hundreds of homes were damaged.
Compton cowboys step up during the wildfires in Los Angeles to save endangered horses
Firefighters battle the Laguna fire Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Camarillo, California. (AP)
SPEND MORE TIME IN Southern California Weeks of dangerous winds and reduced moisture have ended, but several fires were still burning in the area Saturday, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures. The Palisades Fire was 81% contained Saturday and the Eaton Fire was 95% contained.
Meanwhile, in northern Los Angeles County, firefighters made significant progress against the Hughes Fire, which forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate when it broke out in the mountains near Castaic Lake on Wednesday.
In San Diego County, there was little lag on the Boundary 2 Fire as it burned through a remote area of the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
