Southern California Storm Brings Relief to Wildfires

But storm-triggered mudflows and school closures follow heavy rain in LA
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Jan 28, 2025 12:45 AM CST
Southern California Storm Brings Relief to Wildfires
An aerial view shows the devastation left by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Southern California has experienced its first significant storm of the season, which brought much-needed snow and rain to the region, including some impactful consequences. On Monday, these weather conditions helped to douse ongoing wildfires yet caused ash and mud flows on streets in the Los Angeles area. Rainfall exceeded an inch in several locations, prompting road closures and the shutdown of four schools in Malibu due to hazardous conditions. Meteorologist Joe Sirard from the National Weather Service commented, "All these fresh burns are very susceptible to rapid runoff," highlighting the vulnerability of fire-scarred areas like the Palisades, Altadena, and Castaic Lake, which remain under flood watches.

The storm also affected transportation, with the Tejon Pass section of Interstate 5 closed temporarily due to snow—though it reopened by Monday afternoon. Mountainous regions in San Bernardino and Riverside counties were under a winter storm warning, with forecasts predicting about a foot of snow. Areas in San Diego County also reported over an inch of rainfall.

Preceding the storm, Southern California had experienced a prolonged dry spell with gusty weather, elevating fire risks. Following that, crews in Los Angeles County worked to clear vegetation and reinforce roads in preparation for the rain. The Palisades Fire, which destroyed numerous homes and resulted in 11 deaths, is now 94% contained. The Eaton Fire near Altadena, with a death toll of 16, is 98% contained. The Hughes Fire, affecting more than 50,000 people north of Los Angeles, is nearing containment.

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In San Diego County, the rain assisted firefighters in battling the Border 2 Fire near the US-Mexico border. Local authorities have expedited cleanup efforts to mitigate fire-related environmental pollutants, following a federal directive for a debris removal plan with a five-day timeline. Residents are advised to wear protective gear due to the hazardous nature of ash from recent fires, which contain various toxins. This comes amid lingering concerns from the 2018 Montecito mudslides that resulted in 23 deaths following similar conditions. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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