Uh Oh! Danger Lurks in SoCal: Preparing for RAIN and the Threat of Landslides in LA Burn Areas | VIDEO

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*After enduring a day of fierce winds that ignited small fires across Southern California, hopes for reducing wildfire risks may soon materialize as meteorologists forecast a much-needed drizzle beginning late Friday and extending into early Saturday. This anticipated change in weather comes as a ray of hope for communities grappling with destructive fire seasons and prolonged drought.

In Los Angeles County, where the recent Palisades and Eaton fires have wreaked havoc, weather experts predict under a third of an inch of rain to fall. However, some areas, particularly the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, might receive slightly higher precipitation, according to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

“Obviously it’s going to be very welcome to get some sort of moisture here. In terms of ending the fire season, it’s probably not going to be enough for that. But it’ll certainly help a little bit,” Lewis told the LA Times.

While a modest amount of rain could alleviate the dry conditions, the threat of too much rain triggering mudflows and landslides in burn scar areas looms large. “I normally pray for rain. God knows we generally need it,” remarked Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, whose district encompasses Pacific Palisades. “But [with] already saturated, unstable hillsides and the burn scars…adding water to this mess is the last thing we need,” Park reflected, emphasizing the delicate balance between needing rain and mitigating the risks it can pose.

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In preparation for the rain, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order aimed at fortifying burn areas against potential toxic debris from runoff. The Public Works Department will collaborate to install barriers, eliminate debris, and manage stormwater to avert further damage to areas already affected by fire. “This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire and also to protect our watershed, beaches, and ocean from toxic runoff,” said Bass during a recent news conference.

Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, acknowledged the mixed nature of the forecast, stressing that while rain could benefit the area, rapid rainfall could still lead to landslides.

“If a quarter-inch fell in 30 seconds then, yes…but if it falls over hours then it’s definitely not an issue.” The region’s history of wildfires, combined with upcoming moisture, creates a complex dynamic that emergency services must navigate.

Fortunately, the National Weather Service’s warnings about high wind gusts subsided, marking the end of a particularly dangerous weather pattern that had gripped Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Winds, which reached alarming speeds up to 88 mph in parts of the Western San Gabriel Mountains, have since begun to taper off. Dry conditions are projected to linger until the weekend rains arrive, keeping fire risks elevated.

Rain in burn area of Los Angeles - via Grok AI
Rain in burn area of Los Angeles – via Grok AI

However, the situation remains critical. Southern California Edison has been executing public safety power shutoffs to preemptively mitigate fire risks, leaving thousands without power. With thousands of people without electricity, safety measures are being diligent to avoid additional calamities amidst fierce weather conditions.

In light of this precarious climate, firefighters have responded to a series of small fires across Southern California, including incidents in Griffith Park and Granada Hills. Fortunately, these blazes have been kept under control, with no significant property damage reported. Yet, as firefighters tackle these growing concerns, the destructive toll from the ongoing wildfires continues to rise. The Palisades fire alone has resulted in 11 casualties, while the Eaton fire has taken 17 lives.

As containment efforts progress for both the Palisades and Eaton fires, the toll on the landscape is staggering. The Palisades fire burned over 23,713 acres, destroying 6,380 structures, while the Eaton fire destroyed 9,418 structures, reaching over 14,000 acres. With recovery efforts already underway, Los Angeles County officials are eying the avenue for state and federal aid to expedite rebuilding efforts in devastated communities.

“We must be strategic and relentless in pursuing state and federal funding and support to quickly restore the communities that burned,” emphasized Supervisor Lindsey Horvath during a county meeting discussing the fires and their aftermath. Additionally, questions surrounding evacuation protocols have emerged, prompting Supervisor Kathryn Barger to call for an external investigation into the evacuation notifications deemed inadequate during the Eaton fire’s rapid escalation.

As Southern California braces for potential rainfall, while confronting deadly fire years, communities are left grappling with uncertainty and loss. The road to recovery will undoubtedly demand not just rain, but also robust support systems and diligent response strategies to mitigate against future tragedies while restoring hope to ravaged neighborhoods.

SoCal braces for rain after fierce winds ignite wildfires // Rain in Los Angeles - via Grok AI
Rain in Los Angeles – via Grok AI

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