Incoming rain brings mudslides threat to burn zones

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Last updated: Sunday, January 26, 2025 7:10PM GMT
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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.

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Here's how the news is developing.
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Jan 23, 2025, 7:24 PM

Hughes Fire map shows evacuation zones in Castaic

Mandatory evacuations were issued Wednesday in the Castaic area due to the fast-spreading Hughes Fire.

CAL FIRE's map shows the evacuation zones.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the following zones, according to CAL FIRE:

CAS-BITTERCANYON
CAS-CASTAICLAKE
CAS-CHARLIECANYON
LAC-E008
LAC-E016.

Evacuation warnings were issued for the following zones:

CAS-BISCAILUZ
CAS-CAMBRIDGE
CAS-GOLDENSTATE
CAS-GREENHILL
CAS-HASLEY
CAS-HILLCREST
CAS-INDUSTRY
CAS-LIVEOAK
CAS-OAKCANYON
CAS-PARADISERANCH
CAS-RIDGE
CAS-ROMERO
CAS-SLOAN
CAS-VALVERDE
GOR-E004
GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY
LAC-E005
LAC-E009-B
LAC-E011-A
LAC-E017
LAC-E018
LAC-E029
LAC-E030
LAC-FRANCISQUITO
SCL-BLACKPINE
SCL-CALEX
SCL-DECORO
SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
SCL-MOUNTAINVIEW
SCL-PACIFICCREST
SCL-RANCHOTESORO
SCL-REYESABODE
SCL-REYESADOBE
SCL-RIONORTE
SCL-RYE
SCL-TESORODELAVALLE
SCL-WESTHILLS
SLC-REYESADOBE
SLC-STERLING

Road closures

- 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.
Dallas Raines Image
Jan 21, 2025, 1:53 AM GMT

Latest wind forecast from Dallas Raines

Windy and dry conditions returned to Southern California on Monday, raising the risk of new wildfires sparking as firefighters continue to battle two major blazes in the Los Angeles area that started in similar weather nearly two weeks ago.

Gusts could peak at 70 mph along the coast and 100 mph in the mountains and foothills during extreme fire weather that is expected to last through Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a warning of a "particularly dangerous situation" for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning due to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds. Gusts could peak at 70 mph along the coast and 100 mph in the mountains and foothills.

A red flag warning is also in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday night.

Santa Ana winds are expected to stay through Tuesday afternoon. Here's a possible timeline:

The "particularly dangerous situation" warning went into effect at noon Monday and will expire Tuesday at 10 a.m. The strongest wind gusts are expected to come overnight Monday into early Tuesday with gusts anywhere between 40 to 50 mph - creating dangerous fire conditions.

FULL FORECAST: Los Angeles weather: Santa Ana winds return with a 'particularly dangerous situation', elevating risk of wildfires

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jan 21, 2025, 1:50 AM GMT

60+ LA parks closed through Tuesday due to strong winds

More than 60 parks in Los Angeles will be closed through Tuesday due to the strong winds and extreme fire danger, including Griffith Park, Elysian Park, Lake Hollywood Park, and the Sepulveda Basin recreation area.

Nine other parks and facilities, including Runyon Canyon and Palisades Park and Recreation Center, remain closed until further notice.

For more information visit https://www.laparks.org/.

Gabe Santos Image
Jan 21, 2025, 1:39 AM GMT

AIR7 captures ash from Eaton Fire blowing over communities

Strong winds appeared to be blowing ash from the Eaton Fire over communities near Sierra Madre, helicopter reporter Gabe Santos reported.

Strong winds appeared to be blowing ash from the Eaton Fire over communities near Sierra Madre, helicopter reporter Gabe Santos reported.

Residents are advised to stay indoors if possible and wear a mask when outdoors.

While Santa Ana winds will clear smoke, forecasters say it will carry toxic ash to areas south and west of the burn zones. Although ash can travel hundreds of miles, the highest impacted cities are those closest and downwind.

For the Eaton Fire that includes La Canada, La Crescenta, Glendale and other parts of the San Fernando Valley. The National Weather Service says much of the Palisades' ash will be carried out to sea, although nearby coastal communities may be impacted. Neighborhoods near the Kenneth and Hurst fires may also see ash blowing.

Jan 21, 2025, 1:15 AM GMT

What is PDS warning? NWS meteorologist explains

Monday's red-flag warning is a PDS, which stands for "particularly dangerous situation." But what does that mean? An NWS meteorologist explains.

"Ultimately every situation is different but for all of these if a fire were to develop it has the potential to grow explosively," said Dr. Ariel Cohen, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

A PDS is for areas already under red-flag warnings. This week's PDS warning includes western portions of L.A. County, Ventura, parts of the San Fernando Valley and even extends up the 5 Freeway.

"We're already seeing these damaging wind gusts setting up across the area. It's already being realized," Cohen said.

NWS Los Angeles issued its first two PDS warnings in 2020. Then came two years of near-record rainfall and extensive vegetation growth.

So why are there so many PDS alerts this year? The recent dry spell, available fuels and strong winds all together form an extremely dangerous combination.

"All of that fuel was drying out and available to burn," Cohen said. "We have winds that dry the fuels out further and without precipitation again it's a very volatile situation."