La Fires Live Updates: California braces for much-needed rain to slow blazes after Trump adds new disaster aid conditions

The storm is expected to bring relief to areas where wildfires are raging this weekend.

Los Angeles and Ventura counties could see between a half-inch and an inch of rain from Saturday afternoon through Monday night, according to the National Weather Service.

More precipitation – an inch or two – could hit the mountain, the agency predicted.

Rains, the most the region has experienced since April, will make vegetation less susceptible to catching fire and improve air quality in areas ravaged by massive wildfires since Jan. 7. Helpful.

The deadly and destructive Palace and Eaton fires that started burning in L.A. County a few weeks ago are still raging, but are now mostly contained.

The Hughes Fire, the latest blaze to ravage the county, has scorched more than 10,000 acres since erupting Wednesday. It currently contains 87%.

Meanwhile, the Boundary 2 fire, which has been moving through San Diego since Thursday, has already spread to more than 6,500 acres, but that includes very little.

Here are all the wildfires standing:

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) said it plans to reopen schools on Monday, but not all parents think that’s the best idea.

in the statement of Associated Press, The district said staff “worked diligently to prepare schools for a return to in-person instruction.” These preparatory steps include replacing filters, installing air purifiers, and monitoring the school’s ventilation system.

But some still worry that schools will resume in-person education too soon.

LAUSD has “never experienced a disaster like this in their history,” Kelly Ferrone, a parent of two children at Canyon Charter Elementary School, told the AP. One of her daughters has asthma.

Ferrone continues. “And I think people are trying really hard, but our schools need new temporary homes for classrooms and teachers to teach in person. That’s the only thing that’s going to make people feel comfortable. is.”

This school falls within the “Do Not Drink” advisory. This means that water bottles will be provided when the school’s water fountains are turned off.

Much-needed rain is expected to hit Southern California, an area ravaged by wildfires, starting in early January.

According to Accuweather, LA is expected to experience the wettest weather since April.

“Despite being smack in the middle of the rainy season, brush conditions in Southern California are as dry as they are right now (dry season),” said Accuweather California expert Ken Clark. “So when you throw dry air and Santa Ana blows wind into the mix, you have the main ingredients for wildfires.”

As severe fire weather ends in Southern California this week, residents warned Regarding the continuing threat from the weekend storms, which could bring dangerous flash flooding and debris flows to burn areas.

Following a series of devastating and deadly wildfires, forecasters said The region can expect mountain snow, rain, cooler temperatures and “a small but non-zero threat of thunderstorms moving through the burn area.”

Areas in Los Angeles County will see about three-quarters of the rain after several months without precipitation, KTLA.

For more information, read our full story.

Trump’s misinformation about the disaster didn’t help.

Los Angeles County’s response to the raging fires — which have left 28 people dead and left some of the region’s wealthiest communities homeless — have been under the microscope since they started more than two weeks ago, months later. It was placed in Rain and hurricane force winds.

Authorities have faced harsh criticism from politicians and residents. Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump and Republicans have traded shots at California’s Democratic leadership, insisting more could have been done to prevent the tragedy. But many of the president’s statements about how the Golden State should have been prepared are ignorant about the role of climate change and rooted in inaccuracies and a contentious relationship with Gov. Gavin Newsom. Many of the president’s statements.

Julia Muto There’s a story.

The president continued his generous tone during a public discussion at the fire station.

“We’re going to be with you,” Trump said. “Your governor met us on a plane. We had a good talk, a very positive talk. We have to work together to really solve this. ”

president donald trump Friday, he said he would request it. California Reversing election laws and environmental policies as conditions for federal funding to help the nation recover wildfire It has devastated the Los Angeles area in recent weeks.

He also claimed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency misdirected efforts to aid recovery from Hurricane Helen, and that the White House and Republican National Committee It will somehow take over the distribution of relief funds approved by Congress. Trump arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, and targeted FEMA to see the damage from the hurricane, before traveling to California to see the devastation the wildfires had spawned.

Speaking to reporters shortly after he disembarked from the Air Force, Trump told reporters FEMApart of the Department of Homeland Security, “really let us down,” but it was unclear exactly what he did or whether he did it.

“I don’t know if it’s Biden’s fault or whose fault it is, but we’re going to take over and we’re going to do a good job. [Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley] “Who is fantastic, frankly, and everyone else who works with the governor,” he said. “We supply money, supply, a lot of money. Maybe you have to tip something. You probably tip with a little bit, like 25 percent or something, but We’re going to get it done as soon as possible. And we want to take care of people. north carolina. ”

Donald Trump has stonewalled California officials to speed up permitting, home access and rebuilding rules in the aftermath of La Fire, and has promised to do the same at the federal level.

“We are essentially waiving all federal permits,” Trump said.

Trump added that he has spoken to homeowners who are ready to start today.

“There’s a lot at the position right now. They want to start tonight,” he continued. “They clean their sites. They do everything.”

Trump also claimed to have nullified the California Coastal Commission’s delay from the regulatory process, saying, “I’m not going to let them get away with their antics.”

Community members in attendance said they were told by the federal Army Corps of Engineers that it would take 18 months to begin rebuilding.

“I’m confident you can defeat it, until I say, even if it’s 18 days, be careful,” Trump continued. “The mayor is ready to begin.”

At one point, the audience started shouting at LA Mayor Karen Bass, who said they weren’t allowed back on the streets or to see the house.

“We will do everything we can to reduce regulations so the recovery can get underway,” Bass said. “We’re bringing city departments together so they’re not stuck in a loop of going from one room to the next.”