Fire authorities issued evacuation warnings Tuesday for residents living in areas of Los Angeles County savaged by recent wildfires ahead of heavy rain and mudslides expected this week.
The warnings were issued for areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which collectively burned through roughly 40,000 acres of land and scorched more than 15,000 buildings in January, according to an interactive map issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Officials said two coming storms in Southern California make those areas "especially susceptible to heavy rain" and "high mudslide and debris flow risk." Some areas affected by the Palisades Fire are of particular concern for mudslides, according to fire department's map.
"Those living near recent brush fires should be aware of the extreme danger possible from debris flows," a fire spokesperson said in a statement. "When rainstorms impact the Los Angeles area, storm drains, canyons, arroyos and other sloped or low-lying areas can quickly fill with fast-moving water and debris, creating a life-threatening danger."
Sierra Madre Fire Chief Brent Bartlett, whose department battled the Eaton Fire, told NBC Los Angeles that "if a mudflow occurs, public safety and public works personnel will not be able to enter an active debris flow zone."
"This means that if you stay behind, you may be trapped for days before emergency crews can reach you,” Bartlett added.
The Los Angeles Fire Department urged residents in the affected areas to sign up for emergency alerts, listen to local media and create emergency household plans to designate "what each person will do in the event of a flood, mudslide or serious storm damage."
It also encouraged residents to restock food, water, medication, flashlights, battery-powered radios, rain gear and first aid and sanitation supplies.
The warnings will remain in place until Thursday evening.
The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in Altadena, fed by Santa Ana winds with hurricane-force speeds, killed at least 29 people. The fires were declared fully contained on Jan. 31, more than three weeks after they began.
