Fire risk and strong winds continue in Southern California with potential rain on the horizon

LOS ANGELES — Parched Southern California was forecast to experience more dangerous winds on Wednesday, but some much-needed rain could fall this weekend, dampening the prospects for another round of deadly wildfires, though even a small amount of precipitation poses new challenges could cause, such as the discharge of toxic ash.

Officials in Los Angeles were preparing for that prospect even as a small number of residents were allowed to return to the devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas and firefighters quickly gained control. small fires that broke out.

Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Tuesday to expedite cleanup efforts in fire areas and mitigate the environmental impacts of fire-related pollutants. She ordered crews to clear vegetation, reinforce slopes, install barriers and reinforce roads in anticipation of possible weekend rain, which could cause mud and debris flows.

“This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire and also to protect our watersheds, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff,” Bass said at a news conference.

Los Angeles County supervisors also approved an emergency motion to install flood control infrastructure and expedite and remove sediment in fire-affected areas.

A 60% to 80% chance of a small amount of rain was forecast for Southern California starting Saturday, with most areas likely to receive no more than a third of an inch (0.8 cm), according to Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service office for Los Angeles. However, localized thunderstorms could see as much as 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) falling, which would be a worst-case scenario if this were enough to trigger debris flows on scorched hillsides.

“But even if the rain doesn’t come this time, it could be a good exercise for those communities because this will be a threat they will have to deal with for months or years,” Kittell said.

In 2018, Montecito, a city 80 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, was plagued by mudslides after a downpour hit the mountain slopes, they were burned bare by a huge forest fire. Twenty-three people were killed and hundreds of homes were damaged.

Winds eased slightly on Tuesday afternoon, after peaking at 60 miles per hour in many areas, but gusty winds were expected to return over the next two days. Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended Thursday until 8 p.m. in LA and Ventura counties.

“Our concern is the next fire, the next spark that starts the next wildfire,” said David Acuna, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Another concern was that the two major firesthe Palisades and Eaton Firescould break them containment lines as firefighters continue to watch for hot spots.

Fire trucks and water drop planes allowed crews to quickly extinguish several small fires that popped up in LA and San Diego counties, officials said.

Evacuation orders were lifted for the Friars Fire, which broke out near a San Diego shopping center, and partially for the Lilac Fire, which burned through dry brush after some buildings were threatened, Cal Fire said. Nearby crews contained the Pala Fire, another small fire, fully contained.

Southern California Edison has preemptively shut off power to more than 60,000 customers in five counties to prevent new fires from sparking winds that topple electrical equipment; Electricity was later restored to some. The utility was considering preemptive shutoffs for an additional 160,000 customers.

Authorities urged residents to review evacuation plans, prepare emergency kits and be on the lookout for fires and report them quickly.

Bass also warned that the wind could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the city’s website to learn how protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event.

The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and high winds came as firefighters continued to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which at least 28 people killed and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out on January 7. Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 63%, and the Eaton Fire reached 89%.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings.

Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, claiming Southern California Edison equipment caused the fire. On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started.

President Donald Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his speech opening speech Mondayhas said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday.

___

Associated Press radio reporter Julie Walker in New York contributed.