Rain prompts evac warning for parts of San Bernardino County, burn areas prep for possible mudflows

MT. BALDY, Calif. (KABC) -- It's not only the most recent wildfire areas on high alert. Evacuation warnings were issued for some parts of San Bernardino County as residents living in the Bridge and Line fires burn areas brace for heavy rain.

The communities of Mt. Baldy, Wrightwood and Highland along the Line Fire burn scar are all under an evacuation warning that took effect Wednesday afternoon due to the potential for mud and debris flow from the approaching storm, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The community has been preparing for the heavy rain that is bringing the possibility of mudflows along with it.

It's a race against time - and rain - for Mt. Baldy resident Andrew Curran, who is preparing for heavy rains forecasted for Thursday.

MORE: Latest 7-Day Forecast

"So, we're just digging a trench for our friend Carmen back here. She just didn't have enough room for the water flow. So, we are just giving her a little room and then the plan is to come back and add a culvert pipe," Curran said.

In previous years, this level of urgency wasn't necessary. But five months ago, the Bridge Fire devastated the community, leaving the surrounding hillsides barren.

Now, the threat of mudslides looms over the mountain village.

"We're preparing with the K-rails and everything like that all the stuff we have to deal with in the last several months has shown how tight this community really is," said James Thayer, an area resident.

Despite the preparations, Thayer and his son Logan plan to evacuate before the storm hits. Others, like Tracy Boyd, are packed and ready to leave, but she's staying in town to care for a client.

"We have an evacuation plan for our client just in case because just trying to be prepared and think ahead," Boyd said.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Heavy rain on unstable burn scars could trigger life-threatening flash floods and violent debris flows. Entire roads could be buried within seconds. San Bernardino County fire crews will be on high alert, ready to issue evacuation orders at a moment's notice.

"We've seen how quickly fire can impact a community. Mudslides happen even faster with even less warning. Once the hill is moving it can be too late to get out," said Eric Sherwin with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Residents remain on high alert in this community that has already survived devastating wildfires-now, they brace for the next storm.

"So grateful that the county provides the TEMS unit alert system and then the WatchDuty app just all the knowledge that is available for us to have access too," said Mt. Baldy resident Ashley Murray.