SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on rain in California in regions scarred by wildfires (all times local):
7:20 a.m.
The first major storm of the season has jammed Los Angeles-area freeways with accidents but so far there have been no major problems in Southern California wildfire burn zones where there is concern about mudslides.
The National Weather Service says rainfall early Thursday was more variable than initially forecast, but some areas have received several inches and localized flood advisories and watches were issued.
In the vast area burned this month by a destructive fire, the city of Malibu is warning that minor mud and debris flows are possible, and some rocks have fallen onto roads through the Santa Monica Mountains.
Rain is expected to continue through the afternoon, with the possibility of thunderstorms.
The weather service also warns of dangerous surf conditions along the shoreline. Breakers along the central coast are expected to grow to as much as 20 feet (6.1 meters) Thursday morning.
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7 a.m.
A storm moving through California largely missed wildfire-burned areas but officials say a flash flood watch has been extended as rain could still reach the flood-prone spots.
The National Weather Service says Thursday that its watch was extended to sunset for possible flash flooding and debris flows from areas scarred by major fires throughout the state.
It was originally set to expire in the morning but was extended because the threat for stronger rain will linger across much of Northern California.
The storm is moving into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, which could get 12 inches (30 centimeters) of snow at lower elevations and up to 20 inches (51 inches) at higher elevations.
Crews cleared drainage ways and removed burned trees that could topple in the area of Paradise, a town devastated by the nation's deadliest wildfire in a century.
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12 a.m.
A storm moving into California is bringing rain that threatens to unleash debris flows in wildfire burn areas and snow that could cause travel problems on mountain roads.
The weather service issued a watch Thursday for possible flash flooding in areas scarred by major blazes throughout the state.
Crews cleared drainage ways and removed burned trees that could topple in the area of Paradise, a northern town devastated by the nation's deadliest wildfire in a century. Up to an inch of rain is expected there.
In Southern California, residents are urged to voluntarily evacuate neighborhoods southeast of Los Angeles where a fire burned last summer. Mandatory evacuations are in the city of Lake Elsinore.
