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Southern California experienced its first major storm of the season on Monday, bringing much-needed rain and snow to the region, which helped douse the wildfires. The downpour also triggered ash and mud flows across streets in Los Angeles, particularly in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, where emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear debris-covered roads, including the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
The region witnessed more than 2.5 cm of rainfall, which loosened hillsides that had been burned bare by recent wildfires. In nearby Malibu, dangerous road conditions led to the closing of four schools, according to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Though skies cleared, flood watches remained in place for fire-ravaged areas such as the Palisades, Altadena, and Castaic Lake.
Joe Sirard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in LA told news agency AP, “All these fresh burns are very susceptible to rapid runoff.”
Winter storm after dry spell
Snowy conditions wreaked havoc north of Los Angeles, shutting down Tejon Pass on Interstate 5 late Sunday. The pass, a critical transport route, reopened Monday afternoon after icy conditions eased. Mountain ranges in San Bernardino and Riverside counties received a
winter storm warning
, with forecasts of up to a foot (30cm) of snow, requiring chains for vehicles heading to Big Bear Lake ski resorts.
The storm marked the end of months of dry, gusty weather that heightened fire risks. Los Angeles County crews spent the past week preparing fire-stricken areas by clearing vegetation, stabilising slopes, and reinforcing roads.
The recent Palisades fire, which claimed 12 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, was 94 per cent contained by Monday, while the Eaton fire, responsible for 17 fatalities near Altadena, reached 98 per cent containment. Similar progress was also reported on the Hughes fire and the Border 2 Fire near the US-Mexico border.
Clean up efforts
LA city and county officials ramped up clean up measures to tackle the environmental impacts of fire-related pollutants. A White House statement on Friday also revealed that US President Donald Trump had directed federal officials to assist local authorities.
In a statement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other departments assured that they, “shall develop and execute a plan to expedite the bulk removal of contaminated and general debris.”
The officials further cautioned that the ash left after the recent blaze was a toxic combination of cars, electronics, building materials, batteries, paints, furniture and other household items, which contained pesticides, asbestos, plastics and lead. Hence the residents were advised to carry protective gear while cleaning up.
The rainfall had increased the vulnerability of Southern California’s fire-scarred regions, much like Montecito's tragic 2018 mudslides, which claimed 23 lives following similar post-fire rainstorms.
Most of Southern California remains in a state of “extreme” or “severe” drought, according to the US Drought Monitor, however this storm has offered a brief relief from the region's dry spell.
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