Rain will bring much-needed relief to California fires, but also new dangers

For the first time since the #CampFire started its deadly rampage 11 days ago, #Firefighters will get a big assist from #Rain.

The 4 to 6 inches expected later this week will help suppress an inferno that has already killed at least 77 people. It'll also finally improve the heavily polluted and unhealthy air smothering Northern California.

But there's a catch: With more than 150,000 acres of newly scorched earth, there's little vegetation to soak up the rain.

That means the region is now at risk of mudslides, which could be especially dangerous for firefighters battling the inferno.

"They're having to fight this fire right now in the mountainous areas -- the ravines, the canyons, very steep, rugged terrain," said Scott McLean, deputy chief for Cal Fire -- the state's forestry and fire protection agency.
"They're back there on dirt roads, dirt trails, trying to fight this fire. Now it's going to turn into mud, which will be another hazard for them to contend with."

Along with mudslides comes the risk of debris flow gushing from the Camp Fire's charred rubble.
"Recently burned areas could see ash flow ... and even have the potential for debris-flow if rain intensity is high enough," the National Weather Service's Sacramento office said.

Since the Camp Fire broke out November 8, it's destroyed more than 10,500 homes and torched an area the size of Chicago.

Even worse: Fire officials predict the Camp Fire is only halfway done the burning. According to Cal Fire, the blaze might not be fully contained until November 30.

By Holly Yan, CNN,  November 19, 2018