With rain forecast, weary Los Angeles hopes for progress in fighting wildfires By Reuters

Written by Rich McKay

(Reuters) – California firefighters could make more progress in containing three large wildfires burning in and around Los Angeles on Friday, as the latest round of high winds and rain hit the region for the first time in months dissipated over the weekend.

The improving outlook comes after weeks of frustration in ending the crisis, as crews faced water shortages, high winds, extremely dry air, and a steady outbreak of new fires that strained resources.

This new optimism coincides with a scheduled visit by President Donald Trump later on Friday to inspect the devastation. Trump sharply criticized local and state officials for their handling of the massive fires, which burned entire neighborhoods, killing 28 people and damaging or destroying nearly 16,000 buildings.

Up to 1.5 inches of rain is expected this weekend as hot, dry Santa Ana winds ease, said Rich Otto, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. After wind gusts of 60 mph on Thursday, winds will reach 25 to 40 mph on Friday and diminish throughout the day.

He added: “It will be cold rain starting late Saturday and continuing until Monday, with some snow falling in the highlands, but the concern is the areas with burn scars from the fires.”

But the first heavy rains in the region in months would also increase the risk of dangerous mudslides on hillsides stripped of vegetation by fires over the past two weeks.

Red flag warnings, which indicate extreme fire danger, are set to expire in the Southern California region at 10 a.m. local time, said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“The reason is mainly because the winds are calm,” he said. “Changing conditions will also lead to higher humidity which will help contain the fires.”

The latest major blaze in the Los Angeles area has already destroyed 10,300 acres in the San Fernando Valley, but firefighters were able to control 36 percent of the perimeter of the Hughes Fire by late Thursday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on its website. Website.

the Eaton (NYSE:) and the Palisades fires — on the city’s east and west sides — have been burning for 18 days.

The Eaton Fire, which has destroyed much of the Altadena community near Pasadena, is 95% contained, raising hope that firefighters will be able to completely cordon off the blaze on Friday.

The Palisades Fire, which devastated the affluent Pacific Palisades area near Santa Monica, was 72% contained, Cal Fire said late Thursday.

A series of small fires have also threatened the area in recent days. The Sepulveda Fire, which started early Thursday morning, has burned 45 acres along Interstate 405 near the Getty Center Museum — home to numerous art treasures on 45 acres. The tornado is now 60% contained, briefly closing part of the busy highway and forcing some evacuations.

Two new fires broke out Thursday in the San Diego area. Evacuation orders were issued but lifted later Thursday in the La Jolla area near the University of California San Diego School of Medicine after a two-acre fire broke out.

A second fire, south near the U.S.-Mexico border, spread through the Mount Otay Wilderness Area and was reported to be 4,250 acres and zero percent contained late Thursday.