Forecast rain will aid firefighting efforts in Los Angeles but could cause mudslides and toxic ash run off. Southern California was preparing for some long-awaited rain this weekend, bringing some respite after enormous wildfires have raged for weeks, but with the potential to cause mudslides, flooding and toxic ash runoff.
Rain is forecast for much of Los Angeles from Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service said. It said there was a “5-10%” chance of significant debris in burn scars, but officials have begun preparations for potential debris flows. The forecasted moisture comes as Donald Trump is set to visit California later on Friday to tour areas hit by the lethal wildfires. Trump has falsely claimed that California’s water policies have contributed to the damage and he has vented about the state’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, in highly politicized statements during one of the worst natural disasters in US history.
Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, issued an executive order earlier this week to expedite cleanup efforts in burn areas and mitigate the environmental impacts of fire-related pollutants. She ordered crews to remove vegetation, shore up hillsides, install barriers and reinforce roads ahead of the possible weekend rain, which could create mud and debris flows.
While the risk of major mudslides or debris flows is low, Newsom said the state was preparing for the potential impact. “Even before we saw rain on the horizon in Los Angeles, I directed my departments and agencies to act fast to protect neighborhoods from potentially hazardous debris flows,” Newsom said.
