Palisades, Eaton Fire areas will face evacuation orders and warnings over mudslide risks

With a storm bringing a risk of mudslides and debris flows, some areas of Los Angeles recently burned by wildfires are facing mandatory orders and warnings to evacuate their homes as the region braces for heavy rain and possible flooding. 

Altadena and Pacific Palisades, where deadly wildfires brought widespread devastation in January, are among the areas of Los Angeles County being placed under voluntary evacuation warnings beginning Wednesday, according to an interactive map from public officials. Some of Sierra Madre, just 5 miles east of Altadena, has been placed under mandatory evacuation orders after facing mudslides last month that led to rescues and left behind what residents say was thousands of dollars in damage to homes.

A stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway is also being closed to local residents beginning at noon Wednesday due to safety concerns, with the possibility of thunderstorms and rain of up to an inch an hour, according to Caltrans. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced 400 emergency and other personnel were being sent down to Southern California to help in the region's efforts to prepare and handle the storm forecasters say is bringing risks of flooding, thunderstorms, and even small tornadoes.

From Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon, much of LA and Ventura counties is under a flood watch warning of potentially "damaging" flooding and heavy rain, with a possibility of debris flows in wildfire burn areas, according to National Weather Service Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported has reported a "high" risk of such flows as well as mudslides.

Wildfire-torn terrain is particularly vulnerable to mudslides since the soil of the burned landscape can develop a hard top layer that repels water, a result of charred organic material being left behind by a fire, according to FEMA. This can result in the rain hitting the ground like it would pavement, sliding off the top layer and sending down debris and mud. 

An interactive map detailing mandatory and voluntary orders for this week's storm can be found here.   

On Tuesday, deputies had begun notifying residents about evacuation warnings due to possible mudslides and debris flows with the coming storm. Evacuation warnings in Altadena and other Eaton Fire burn areas will be in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13. 

Meanwhile, the Sierra Madre Police Department said mandatory evacuation orders there will be in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 12 until 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13 in the following areas.

• Mandatory evacuation zones: SMD-E001, SMD-E002A, SMD-E002B, SMD-E002C, SMD-E003, SMD-E004, SMD-E005, SMD-E006A, SMD-E006B, SMD-E007, SMD-E008, SMD-E009, SMD-E010A, SMD-E010B, SMD-E011A, SMD-E011C, SMD-E012A, SMD-E012B, SMD-E012C, SMD-E012D, SMD-E013B, SMD-E014B
• Evacuation warning zones: SMD-E011D, SMD-E013A, SMD-E014A, SMD-E015, SMD-E016

The LA Fire Department released a full list of burn areas in the Palisades, Sunset and Hurst fires where evacuation warnings will be in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 12 until Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m. 

LAFD said homes facing especially high risks of mudslides and debris flows will be visited by emergency responders who will issue individual mandatory evacuation orders. A flyer will be left if no one is home when emergency responders make the visit. 

• Palisades Fire: Getty Villa area, Rivas Canyon/Will Rogers State Park area, Highlands near the burn areas, Bienveneda area near Temescal Canyon Park, Mandeville Canyon above Tanners Road, Old Ranch Road and Rustic Creek. 
• Sunset Fire: East and South of Runyon Canyon. 
• Hurst Fire: Olive Lane in the Oakridge Mobile Home Park. 

On Wednesday, LA County Department of Public Works Director Mark Pestrella told reporters that the department analyzed which areas of the county were most vulnerable in deciding where to issue evacuations. While some of Sierra Madre is facing mandatory orders, given the mudslides last month, Pestrella said the basins there have the capacity to handle all the debris expected with the storm.

Last month, mudslides were seen in parts of LA such as the Hollywood Hills, Sierra Madre and the Malibu/Pacific Palisades area as a storm brought heavy rain to fire-torn areas across the region.