Los Angeles Evacuation Warnings Issued as Risk of Mudslides Looms

Residents in portions of Los Angeles County have been issued evacuation warnings beginning on Thursday morning due to the risk of mudslides.

Newsweek reached out to the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD) via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Los Angeles County was ravaged by concurrent deadly wildfires in January. The Eaton and Palisades fires escalated as the largest but are now 100 percent contained. Sectors affected by the flames are called “burn scar” areas.

The fires torched thousands of acres, destroyed thousands of structures and prompted thousands of mandatory evacuations, some lasting weeks.

What To Know

The evacuation warnings issued due to an incoming storm begin at 7 a.m. Thursday and last until 2 p.m. Friday “due to high mudslide and debris flow risk” in recently burned areas, the LAFD said in an alert.

Neighborhoods with an evacuation warning near the Palisades Fire damage are listed below: Getty Villa area; Highlands near the fire damage; Bienveneda area near Temescal Canyon Park; Reseda Boulevard area/Marinette Road near Will Rogers State Park; and Mandeville Canyon above Tanners Road.

Sunset Fire area:

East and south of Runyon Canyon.

Hurst Fire area:

Olive Lane in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park.

The LAFD notes that homes with a “high risk” in the warning zones will be “visited” by officers to be given evacuation orders.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles said in a post to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday that the storm sparking fear of potential mudslides is still “on track” for Thursday. The NWS advises people to stay off the roads, as the flooding risk is “high.”

Los Angeles rain prep — Sandbags are loaded into a car trunk on February 12 in Pasadena, California, as the National Weather Service warns that heavy rains could trigger flooding. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

What People Are Saying

NWS Meteorologist Todd Hall told Newsweek via phone on Wednesday night: “We have native plants here; those plants have oils in them and when they’re burned, they deposit their wax. The soil won’t totally be able to absorb the rain, then cause runoff.

“Evacuation warnings are being sent … it is a potentially dangerous situation that could bring debris flows,” Hall said.

When asked about the biggest concern for residents not in the warning zones, Hall said that the “biggest risk is heavy rain and roadway flooding. The afternoon commute is a potential concern along with gusting winds. There’s also a low probability—5 percent—of a tornado too.”

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services posted to X on Wednesday: “Heads up, California! Another winter storm is set to impact communities statewide. @Cal_OES is prepositioning resources to be ready. It’s important that you also take steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones.”