Incoming rain brings mudslides threat to burn zones
Last updated: Sunday, January 26, 2025 7:10PM GMT
Stream Southern California's News Leader and Original Shows 24/7
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A flood watch will go into effect Sundy in recent Los Angeles County wildfire areas, as the first of what's expected to be three days of rain arrives and authorities switch gears from worrying about fires to possible landslides.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch from 10 a.m. Sunday to 4 p.m. Monday for the Eaton, Palisades, Franklin, Bridge and Hughes burn scars.
Although the rainfall totals aren't expected to be that large, the terrain in the fire areas is especially vulnerable to movement after the devastating blazes.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
- Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes - Ridge Route Rd at Templin Hwy - Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn - Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd - I-5 NB at Parker Rd Off Ramp and I-5 NB at Lake Hughes Rd off ramp will be shut down.
Evacuation shelters - Evacuation center: College of the Canyons East Gym at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
A map of the Hughes Fire shows the multiple evacuation zones near Castaic Lake north of the Santa Clarita area.
Jan 22, 2025, 9:40 PM GMT
Brush fire erupts in Castaic area, spreads to more than 3,400 acres and prompts evacuations
A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area, spreading quickly to more than 3,400 acres near the 5 Freeway, officials said.
Fire crews from Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest were responding to the so-called Hughes Fire burning in the area of Lake Hughes Road.
A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area, spreading quickly to more than 500 acres near the 5 Freeway, officials said.
Evacuation orders and warnings were issued shortly after 11 a.m. according to an official map on Genasys.com.
No injuries were reported and no structures are being immediately threatened.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
Jan 23, 2025, 7:24 PM GMT
Hughes Fire map shows evacuation zones in Castaic
Mandatory evacuations were issued Wednesday in the Castaic area due to the fast-spreading Hughes Fire.
- Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes - Ridge Route Rd at Templin Hwy - Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn - Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd - I-5 NB at Parker Rd Off Ramp and I-5 NB at Lake Hughes Rd off ramp will be shut down.
Evacuation shelters - Evacuation center: College of the Canyons East Gym at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
A map of the Hughes Fire shows the multiple evacuation zones near Castaic Lake north of the Santa Clarita area.
For a few hours overnight, Southern California was not under a red flag warning, but another warning has been issued - which means the critical fire danger isn't over. This comes as the region urgently prepares for rain this weekend, triggering landslide fears in fire-damaged communities.
Light to moderate Santa Ana winds will continue through Wednesday afternoon across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, according to the National Weather Service. There will be another increase in northeast winds Wednesday night into Thursday.
The extended warning, which applies for a large swath of Southern California, is in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday. Temperatures will also warm up Thursday.
For a few hours overnight, Southern California was not under a red flag warning, but another warning has been issued - which means the critical fire danger isn't over.
Temperatures during the weekend will see a big drop as some moisture from the north moves into SoCal, bringing a chance of light rain and raising the threat of mudslides in fire-impacted areas.
In light of the fire danger and looming threat of mudslides, officials are urging residents to have an evacuation plan in place.
Jan 22, 2025, 5:46 PM GMT
Chef who lost home in wildire keeps his spirits up by feeding others
The Pacific Palisades home where chef Daniel Shemtob and his wife dreamed of raising a family is now nothing more than a cratered pit of twisted metal and rubble. Gone are the gourmet kitchen, the nursery with the baby giraffe and elephant wallpaper, the half-century-old olive trees in the yard.
But even as the Los Angeles-area wildfires continue to burn, Shemtob has been soothing his soul by dishing out free, foil-wrapped breakfast burritos and tacos from his award-winning food truck to first-responders and weary evacuees.
It would be easy for the two-time Food Network competition winner to dwell on the loss of the home, which he and his wife, Elyse, moved into about eight months ago, leasing with an option to buy. Yet he smiles, thinking about the people he has met through the food giveaways.
World Central Kitchen Chef Corp member Daniel Shemtob smiles as he looks out from the service window of his food truck, The Lime Truck.
One man was so happy with his sweet and spicy steak taco that he declared it the first time he smiled since his home burned. Another person loved the simple cheese quesadilla the chef made for him so much, he came back for more and brought six family members.
Then there was the National Guardsman who lent a sympathetic ear one cold morning.
"He sat and wanted to hear my story while he ate his breakfast burrito," said Shemtob, 36. "That was very cathartic."
