However, authorities have also cautioned residents about the possibility of toxic sludge runoff and mudslides as the rains were forecast to continue through Monday.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported in its most recent update late on Sunday that “the increase in shower and thunderstorm activity” across the area “may lead to localized areas of burn scar flash flooding, including debris flow activity.”
The warning applies to areas scorched by the still-active Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes fires, which together have burned more than 15, 300 hectares (38, 000 acres) in Los Angeles County.
Regions burned by the since-contained Franklin, Hurst, and Bridge fires, which first broke out in September of last year, are also at risk.
Joe Sirard, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard, west of Los Angeles, said that even a relatively small amount of rain can cause dangers.
“All these fresh burns are very susceptible to rapid runoff”, Sirard said. Once we cross those thresholds, that means there is a disproportionately high risk of mud and debris flows.
As of 3am local time (11: 00 GMT) on Monday, Los Angeles International Airport had reported a little under 2.5cm (1 inch) of rain over the previous 24-hour period.
According to officials, several schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District were closed on Monday due to “hazardous road conditions and access challenges.”
According to the California Department of Transportation, mudflows in Topanga Canyon caused a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway to be closed as of Sunday afternoon.
Officials have further cautioned that the runoff from recent burn zones – an ashy mix of incinerated cars, batteries, building materials, pesticides, asbestos, plastics and lead – can be toxic.
Despite the dangers, southern California’s forecast for the weather may be beneficial for firefighters tasked with igniting the last few pockets of the remaining fires.
As of Monday, the largest fire, the Palisades, was 90 percent contained. Taus thousands of homes have been destroyed by the fire, which started on January 7 and has claimed the lives of at least 11 people.
The Eaton fire, which began on the same day and has killed at least 16 people, was 98 percent contained.
And the Hughes fire, which was sparked on January 22, was 95 percent contained.
According to the US Drought Monitor maintained by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Southern California has experienced more severe drought conditions since December, with portions of Los Angeles County still experiencing “extreme drought.”
Extreme drought is the second-highest classification of the tracker.
Santa Ana winds, which transport warm and dry air to the California coast, have further exacerbated the blazes.
According to climate scientists, more frequent and severe wildfires are brought on by rising temperatures and the rise in human-caused climate change.
While continuing his attacks on Democratic leaders in the state, US President Donald Trump traveled to California last week to assess the fire damage.
Trump has falsely claimed that state officials could have used northern reaches to bring the fires under control.
Source: Aljazeera
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