Most of California is expected to receive small amounts of scattered rain over several days, but there is a risk of heavy downpours in some areas.
The problem would be if one of the showers happens to hit a fire area, says meteorologist Carol Smith, warning that it could create floods that bring along debris and hazardous ash.
Dangerous Soup
Authorities are warning that the ash consists of a toxic mixture of burned-out cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paint, furniture, and other household items. It may also contain pesticides, asbestos, plastic, and lead. All residents have been advised to wear protective gear when cleaning up after the fires.
The rain, which arrived on Saturday evening local time, may continue until Tuesday. Earlier in the week, a frantic effort has been underway to clean up as much as possible in the fire-stricken areas, and in Los Angeles County, flood barriers have been put in place and sandbags have been filled.
Brings Relief
And despite the rain, which is a welcome relief for the rescue services that have been fighting the flames for weeks, fires are still burning in southern California. The large fires in Pacific Palisades and Eaton in Los Angeles, in which 28 people have died, were 81 and 95 percent extinguished, respectively. However, fires are also burning in the northern part of the Los Angeles region and in the San Diego area.
