Community members to put their tech skills and cameras to work, creating an online map of about 15,000 homes in the Eaton Fire zone that allows users to click through to current photos of those properties.

A bipartisan bill introduced on Jan. 28 by three California lawmakers would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain a program that improves wildfire forecasting and detection.

With three different water companies, all affected by the Eaton Fire, many Altadena residents are still concerned about toxic chemicals coming out of their taps.

The rain that is expected to hit the scorched Los Angeles landscape this weekend may bring relief to the fire fights, but it could also bring flash floods and mudslides. Although forecasts show that the risk is relatively low, local officials are taking the warnings seriously.

When smoke from area wildfires billowed over the hills near Ashley Livingston-Litwin's home in Los Angeles, she quickly evacuated at local officials' orders — the first time the New Orleans

Chief As dawn broke on Jan. 7 throughout the west coast, an eruption of flames and smoke overwhelmed Los Angeles County, devastating communities and forcing mass evacuations throughout Southern California including the areas of Pacific Palisades,

The mountains and foothills of Los Angeles County are in “extreme drought” conditions, about 36% of the county, explained Pugh. That’s one category shy of hitting the highest level, “exceptional drought,” and three higher than the lowest, “abnormally dry.” The rest of the county is in severe drought.

As the Eaton fire raged through Altadena, sheriff's deputies raced through the darkened streets evacuating residents. Then the fire neared their station, and they had to evacuate, too.

Hundreds of Altadena residents, encouraged by L.A. County Supervisor Barger, vow to return, but we need to balance risks and merits of swiftly rebuilding after the fires.

Why now: On Sunday morning, Altadena residents were taking advantage of free sandbags available to prepare for the rain. “We have pre-deployed strike teams and search and rescue task forces in the area to deal with any excessive rain or mud and debris flow,” Fire Captain Joshua Swaney said.

Officials cautioned that ash in recent burn zones was a toxic mix of incinerated cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paints, furniture and other household items.

Heavy rain is in the forecast starting 4 p.m. on Sunday until Monday afternoon. Burn scars, in particular those around the Eaton Fire areas, might see the hardest impact.