Rain brought much needed aid to the Los Angeles firefight, moving the fires surrounding the city closer to containment.

Rain was falling across Southern California on Sunday, bringing some relief to thousands of firefighters battling multiple major blazes for nearly a month in the Los Angeles area, but also prompting new threats of floods and mudslides across burn-scarred lands.

The Los Angeles area is preparing for its first rain since wildfires first broke out weeks ago. But too much rain at once could bring its own set of significant issues.

Weekend rains could bring some relief to Southern California. Here's the forecast and an assessment of how much it will help reduce fire risk.

A wet pattern will bring periods of rain and showers to Southern California, dropping an inch or two in the Los Angeles region — the most to fall since mid-April. It will be key for firefighters continuing to battle flames.

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.

On Sunday at 10:11 a.m. a special weather statement was issued by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA in effect until 10:45 a.m. The alert is for Malibu Coast, Los Angeles, Palos Verdes Hills and Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area.

Rain on the way to parched Southern California on Saturday will aid firefighters mopping up multiple wildfires.

The destruction in parts of Altadena, a few miles to the west of Sierra Madre, and Pacific Palisades, which had burned in a separate fire on the other side of Los Angeles, made these areas appear bombed out.

Rain fell across parts of Southern California, providing relief to firefighters battling wildfires but raising concerns about toxic ash runoff and mudslides. Despite progress in containing major fires,

The Mafia is “weaponizing” fire in the region for control and financial gain, said UC Berkeley researcher Lauren Pearson. She spent months speaking to prosecutors, the police, environmental groups and locals in Sicily, where Mafia groups are active.