LA Weather Timeline: Rain forecast sparks mudslide threats

With the chance of rain entering the forecast this weekend, the threat of mudslides in Southern California fire zones looms. 

Some parts of the region could see rain this weekend after a prolonged period of dry and windy conditions, according to the latest weather forecasts. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday issued an executive order to expedite debris removal from burn areas and install reinforcement barriers and sandbags with rain in the forecast.

"This is to prevent additional damage to areas already ravished by fire, and also to protect our watershed, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff," she said during a Tuesday morning press conference.

Last week, a home that was spared by the Palisades Fire was seriously damaged by a mudslide.

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Officials are warning residents in impacted areas to be prepared.

LA rain timeline

According to the National Weather Service, there is an increasing chance of showers on Saturday, with rain likely from Saturday night into Sunday morning. 

The chance of showers lingers into Sunday night, forecasters said, but rainfall totals "do not look to be too significant." 

How much rain will we get?

"Generally one quarter to one-half inch in most areas," the NWS said. 

However, the threat of any major showers or thunderstorms can't be ruled out, especially since any high rainfall totals would increase the threats of mud and debris flows in the areas of recent burn scars.

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"Rain rates are mostly expected to be a tenth of an inch per hour or less. However, there is a 5-10% chance of a thunderstorm with briefly higher rates that could generate a debris flow if it falls over a recently burned area," the NWS noted in its latest forecast. 

According to the NWS, the storm will be "slow moving" and could linger through early Monday.

The eastern San Gabriels have the highest potential for rain amounts exceeding a half inch, the NWS added. 

"Rain rates overall are expected to be under a quarter inch per hour, which is well below debris flow thresholds." 

Current firefighting efforts continue

Firefighters continue to battle the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County. At last check, the 23,713-acre Palisades Fire was 63% contained, and containment of the 14,021-acre Eaton Fire grew to 89% Tuesday. 

In Altadena, the Eaton Fire has destroyed 9,416 structures and threatened another 1,064. 

On Monday afternoon, all evacuated residents from the Altadena area were allowed to return.

City and county officials are warning those in vulnerable foothill communities, especially those sitting under the San Gabriel Mountain and Eaton Creek, to prepare for the threat of weather-related damage. 

Emergency executive orders declared 

Gov. Gavin Newsom surveyed the destruction last week, leading to the issuance of an executive order to speed up wildfire debris removal in LA County to prevent more destruction in these burn zones. 

Newsom's order specifically here helps streamline emergency response work, like shoring up hillsides and clearing debris out of waterways by suspending certain environmental rules and approval procedures for 90 days. 

Bass followed up Tuesday by issuing her own executive order to expedite fire debris removal and install reinforcement barriers and sandbags for those threatened areas.

Both initiatives aim to support recovery in areas such as Pacific Palisades, where residents are working to rebuild their homes and restore their communities.

According to officials, the burn scars are stripped of vegetation and, as a result, don't absorb water at normal rates, leading to the risk of mudslides, landslides, flash floods and debris flows. 

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"These communities have already endured unimaginable loss -- we are taking action against further harm," Bass said.

California's rainy season typically ends in April.

The Source: Information for this story is from the National Weather Service and FOX 11 reports.

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