California wildfires latest: Rain brings relief — and mudslides — to burn areas in Los Angeles

A man who was planning to propose to his girlfriend found the engagement ring while searching the remains of their Altadena home — and he promptly popped the question amid the rubble.

Brian McShea told ABC 7 in Los Angeles that he had been hiding the ring he bought for Stephanie Raynor in a desk drawer and left it behind when they were forced to quickly evacuate.

When the couple returned to the charred remains of their home, he went searching for it even though he figured it was likely gone.

"I was thinking, 'Well, maybe the stone can survive, and maybe we'll find the little stone.' I thought the ring was going to completely disintegrate," McShea recalled. "I was like, 'We're going to look over here where my desk is.' I did not tell her why. I don't know what [she] thought we were looking for because it was pretty obvious that a lot of my stuff was gone.”

He continued: "I really didn't have a lot of hope, but you just brush away some rubble and there's a little ring, and you pick that up and it's actually a washer to something, and that happened like four times, and then you pick it up, and there's a little diamond."

After recovering the ring, McShea asked Raynor to marry him, and she said yes.

Some more good fire weather forecast news: AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter says the risk of wildfires has been "essentially wiped out" for the next several weeks.

"Recent rainfall and onshore winds, bringing more moisture from the Pacific Ocean, have essentially wiped out the fire risk in Southern California for the foreseeable future," Porter said in his latest forecast. "We don't expect any major Santa Ana wind events or conditions that would cause a widespread elevated fire risk in the next few weeks. The rain was very beneficial in most areas. Parched vegetation that has been fueling fires received a good soaking."

There is, however, the risk of mudslides in burn areas whenever there's a rain event for the rest of the year.

"Flames and intense heat from wildfires scorched the vegetation and even the topsoil. When rain falls on a burn scar, the ground cannot effectively absorb water. Too much rain falling too quickly can send a dangerous mix of water, mud, ash, rocks and debris sliding down hills and mountains," Porter explained. "Mudslides and debris flows will be a risk every time substantial rain falls in these burn scar areas for the rest of this winter and even into next winter."

The Hughes Fire, which scorched more than 10,000 acres after erupting less than a week ago, is now nearly 100% contained.

"Firefighters have successfully held the fire at 10,425 acres and brought containment up to 98%," the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in a press release Tuesday. "Crews continue to identify and extinguish isolated pockets of heat within the fire perimeter to prevent rekindling."

It added: "Given the progress, this will be the final official update of the Hughes Fire."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to begin processing hazardous materials soon from the Palisades and Eaton Fires. The site for debris from the Palisades Fire is on empty lots near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

The site for debris from the Eaton Fire is Lario Park, a park on federally owned land in the San Gabriel Valley. And officials from the neighboring cities of Azusa, Duarte, Irwindale and Baldwin Park, as well as Los Angeles County, are opposing the move.

“I am deeply concerned by the Environmental Protection Agency and their decision to designate Lario Park as a collection and processing site for hazardous materials left behind by the Eaton Fire, including lithium electric vehicle batteries," L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement. "These materials pose significant environmental and health risks, especially in residential areas."

“We are doing everything we can to stop it,” Margaret Finlay, a member of the Duarte City Council, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. “It seems like the wrong place to have it.”

One concern is that the trucks carrying hazardous waste from burned-down homes and businesses in Altadena and north Pasadena to the park will not use the 210 Freeway but side streets.

“That means it will be surface streets coming through our city," Finlay said. "What if the trash falls off the truck?”

At the site itself, the EPA said that it will use a water truck for routine dust suppression, to minimize visible emissions and conduct post-sampling to ensure it is safe.

City officials also said they were not given proper notice by the EPA of the decision to use Lario Park as a staging site.

"We are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA's cleanup efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards," the city of Duarte said.

President Trump, who has criticized California over its water use in the aftermath of this month's Los Angeles area wildfires, said Monday that the U.S. military has intervened.

"The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social Monday night. "The days of putting a Fake Environmental Argument, over PEOPLE, are over. Enjoy the water, California!!!"

But state officials say that's simply not true.

"The military did not enter California," the California Department of Water Resources said in a statement posted to X overnight. "The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful."

Part of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Pacific Palisades remains closed due to a weekend mudslide in an area that was burned in the Palisades Fire.

The California Department of Transportation has posted on X a list of the most recent road closures in fire zones:

According to the National Weather Service, these are the top rainfall totals between Saturday and Monday morning in Los Angeles County:

• Porter Ranch: 1.62 inches

• Sepulveda Canyon at Mulholland Drive: 1.45 inches

• Santa Monica Pier: 1.38 inches

• San Antonio Sierra: 1.37 inches

• Northridge: 1.36 inches

• Tanbark: 1.32 inches

• West Fork Heliport: 1.26 inches

Firefighters continue to make progress battling four active wildfires in Southern California, which have scorched more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire:

• Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 95% containment

• Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 99% containment

• Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 98% containment

• Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 74% containment

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes following this month's deadly wildfires are not subject to environmental permitting requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act.

The order was made in response to recent guidance issued by the Coastal Commission suggesting that some rebuilding homeowners could still be subject to the rules.

"That legally erroneous guidance threatened to create confusion and delay in rebuilding efforts for impacted communities," Newsom's office said, noting that the governor has already issued two executive orders waiving the California Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.

“As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said in a statement.

In addition to the rain in Los Angeles, there is a winter storm warning in effect until 4 p.m. for the San Gabriel Mountains and upper elevations of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with a foot of snow or more possible in some areas.

Snow has already forced the closure of Interstate 5 in Castaic, Calif., where the Hughes Fire exploded last week.

There are now four active wildfires in Southern California totaling more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire:

• Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 90% containment

• Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 98% containment

• Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 95% containment

• Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 43% containment

After touring Pacific Palisades, where thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed after two weeks of raging wildfires, President Trump held a roundtable event with California politicians, police and fire officials.

"I don't think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is until you see it," Trump said of the fire damage.

The president said that "the federal government is standing behind you 100%," but lamented that "this is already the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. The numbers are going to be staggering."

Trump also said he would facilitate an increase the flow of water from the northern part of the state to the south.

"I'm signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north. We want to get that water pouring down here as quickly as possible," Trump said. "Hundreds of millions of gallons of water flow down into Southern California and that will be a big benefit to you," though it was unclear precisely to what the president was referring.

In recent weeks, Trump has criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying he “refused to sign the water restoration declaration.”

Newsom responded, “There is no such document as the 'water restoration declaration.' That is pure fiction.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom warmly greeted President Trump on the tarmac at Los Angeles International International Airport on Friday afternoon, and said that his state would need federal help to deal with the ongoing wildfire disaster that has so far destroyed more than 14,000 structures and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people.

Trump, who has expressed reluctance to offer federal funds to the state, spoke to reporters first. "I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me," he said, adding, "We want to get it fixed. We want to get the problem fixed."

Newsom then addressed reporters before speaking to the president directly.

"Most importantly, thank you for being here," he said. "It means a great deal to all of us. Not just the folks in Palisades, but in Altadena, that were devastated. We're going to need your support. ... You were there for us during COVID. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we will be able to work together."

More than a dozen schools in the Chula Vista, Calif., school district were closed Friday "due to ongoing safety concerns related to the Border 2 Fire," San Diego's Office of Education said. Schools in four other school districts were closed due to power outages stemming from the fire.

Schools that remained open were on a "rainy day schedule due to poor air quality."

As President Trump threatens to withhold federal aid from California in the wake of this month's devastating wildfires, city and state officials are urging him not to play politics with relief efforts.

“I'm calling on all sides, including President Trump, to set politics aside," Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said on CNN Friday. "This is not a time to engage in political gamesmanship, to hold hostage entire communities or even threaten communities with withholding desperately needed aid at a time that they need it most."

Pasadena and Altadena were devastated by the Eaton Fire. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon and tour damage from the Palisades Fire.

"I can't believe that President Trump or anyone else can visit these sites of devastation and maintain a political position that keeps aid from coming to these families," Gordo said. "It's never been done before. I'm not aware of assistance being conditioned anywhere else in the country. It's inhumane to do that."

He added: "President Trump, we need your help."

Note: The Gibbel (Riverside County, 15 acres, 90% containment) and Gilman fires (San Diego County, 2 acres, 100% containment) are not shown.

Firefighting crews continue to make progress on the Hughes Fire, which has scorched more than 10,000 acres since it erupted near Castaic Lake, Calif., on Wednesday.

According to Cal Fire, the fire is 56% contained.

Nearly 54,000 residents in the Castaic area were still under evacuation warnings on Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. But so far there have been no reports of homes or other structures burned.

Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who lost their home in the Palisades Fire, are suing the city of Los Angeles, alleging officials mismanaged the water supply ahead of the blaze.

The lawsuit, according to People magazine, was filed in California's Superior Court in Los Angeles County on Tuesday. Pratt and Montag said the city failed to fix the 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir — which has been offline for nearly a year — despite it being in a fire-prone area.

"With the Santa Ynez Reservoir effectively out of commission, hydrants in Pacific Palisades failed," their lawsuit states.

The Hills alums are seeking unspecified damages.

President Trump is scheduled to visit Southern California on Friday afternoon.

The president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to arrive in Los Angeles around 3 p.m. local time before heading to the Palisades Fire burn area to "take an aerial and walking tour of the damage," according to KTLA.

Trump is also expected to visit a local fire station for a briefing on the wildfires and participate in a roundtable discussion.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who Trump has routinely criticized, plans to greet the president upon his arrival.

“We’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom told reporters on Thursday, per Politico. “There’s no limit to the resources we’ll provide for that briefing.”

Before heading to California, Trump will stop in western North Carolina to visit an area ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, "critical fire weather" conditions will persist in Southern California through Friday, but relief in the form of much-needed rain is coming this weekend.

"A low pressure system from the north will bring colder temperatures and rain chances to southern CA as early as Saturday afternoon, lasting possibly into Monday night," the weather service in Los Angeles said. "Expecting most areas to see at least a little rain, with the highest rain totals favoring Los Angeles County and the eastern San Gabriel mountains."

The rain will bring a threat of landslides in areas that have been burned by the recent wildfires, but the weather service said the chance of "debris flows for recent burn scars" this weekend is low.

There are now nine active wildfires in Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego counties, totaling more than 50,000 acres, according to Cal Fire:

• Palisades Fire (Los Angeles): 23,448 acres, 75% containment

• Eaton Fire (Los Angeles): 14,021 acres, 95% containment

• Hughes Fire (Los Angeles): 10,396 acres, 56% containment

• Border 2 Fire (San Diego): 4,250 acres, 0% containment

• Laguna Fire (Ventura): 94 acres, 70% containment

• Sepulveda Fire (Los Angeles): 45 acres, 60% containment

• Clay Fire (Riverside): 39 acres, 85% containment

• Gibbel Fire (Riverside): 20 acres, 0% containment

• Gilman Fire (San Diego): 2 acres, 0% containment

The Border 2 Fire, which broke out in the Otay wilderness area, east of Chula Vista, Calif., and just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, has grown to 4,250 acres and is 10% contained, according to the San Diego County Fire Department.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued overnight to residents in the area.

Photographers captured some dramatic images of firefighters working through the night to contain the Hughes Fire, which exploded in Castaic, Calif., on Wednesday. As of midday Thursday, the blaze was 24% contained, according to fire officials.

The California Legislature on Thursday passed a set of bills allocating $2.5 billion in relief to help people in Southern California recover from the deadly wildfires that have ravaged the region.

According to the Associated Press, the funds will go toward supporting the state’s emergency disaster response efforts, such as sheltering survivors and removing household hazardous waste, as well as streamlining approvals for rebuilding homes and schools.

The bills passed unanimously in both the state Assembly and state Senate as part of an extended special session called by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to this month's wildfire outbreak. They now head to his desk for his signature.

Before leaving office, President Joe Biden said that the federal government would reimburse the state much of the cost to assist in its recovery efforts. But President Trump, who has been sharply critical of Newsom, has threatened to withhold federal aid.

In an update posted on X, the Ventura County Fire Department said that multiple fire agencies are working to contain the Laguna Fire near Camarillo, Calif., which has grown to 15 acres.

The evacuation order for the Cal State Channel Islands campus remains in place.

On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles County Fire Department issued what it said would likely be its final update on the Eaton Fire.

The blaze, which burned more than 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 9,000 structures, is now 95% contained.

"This is the last incident update for the Eaton Fire, unless significant activity should occur," the department said. All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, and "repopulation efforts have been completed."

For those returning to their homes, the restoration of water pressure will be completed by this weekend, officials said, but it may take up to two weeks for testing to be completed and the "Do Not Drink" order to be lifted.

The Ventura County Fire Department said it is responding to a 2-acre brush fire that is rapidly spreading near Camarillo, Calif., prompting the evacuation of the nearby California State University Channel Islands campus.

The National Weather Service has extended red flag warnings for parts of Southern California through Friday.

"DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER environment thru Friday, peaking on Thursday," the weather service's office in L.A. said in a post on X. "Any new fires can grow fast and out of control. Stay aware of your surroundings. Heed any evacuation orders. Have a plan, especially if you are in a high fire risk area. Push through, relief coming this weekend!"

That relief is expected in the form of rain, which would help stop wildfires from spreading but also lead to the threat of landslides and toxic runoff in burn areas.

In the wake of the wildfires, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday that his office has sent 500 warning letters to hotels and landlords who have been accused of price gouging.

“As I have said repeatedly, the price gouging must stop. Today, we are making good on our promise to hold price gougers accountable, with more to come,” Bonta said in a statement while announcing criminal charges against a real estate agent for allegedly attempting to price gouge a couple who lost their home in the Los Angeles Eaton Fire.

According to the criminal complaint, the agent, identified as Mike Kobeissi, unlawfully tried to raise the price of a rental home in Flintridge, Calif., by 38% — far more than the 10% cap outlined in California Gov. Gavin Newsom's emergency declaration earlier this month.

The misdemeanor charge carries the maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and 12 months in jail, according to Bonta's office.

There are now five active wildfires in Los Angeles, Ventura and Riverside counties, totaling more than 47,000 acres, according to Cal Fire:

• Palisades Fire (Los Angeles): 23,448 acres, 72% containment

• Eaton Fire (Los Angeles): 14,021 acres, 95% containment

• Hughes Fire (Los Angeles, Ventura): 10,176 acres, 14% containment

• Sepulveda Fire (Los Angeles): 40 acres, 0% containment

• Clay Fire (Riverside): 39 acres, 70% containment

The Los Angeles Fire Department said that all forward progress has been stopped on the Sepulveda Fire, which was reported near Interstate 405 late Wednesday, triggering evacuation warnings for parts of Brentwood and Bel Air as well as Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. The evacuation warnings were also lifted.

"All Forward Progress Stopped with the fire held at approximately 40 acres," the LAFD posted in an overnight update. "There are no structures damaged and no injuries reported. Firefighters will remain on scene through the night conducting mop up operations to ensure no hot spots remain. Traffic on the 405 Freeway will likely remain impacted as crews and apparatus work alongside the freeway."

According to the latest estimate by Cal Fire, the Hughes Fire has grown to more than 10,000 acres and is 14% contained. The fire, which began in Los Angeles County late Wednesday morning, has crossed into Ventura County.

Evacuation orders remain in place for residents in and around Lake Castaic.

Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity will maintain critical fire weather conditions in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday, forecasters say.

"Significant fire weather conditions are ongoing into Thursday with an increase in winds expected (especially Thurs AM) and severely dry conditions," the National Weather Service said in a post on X. "Continue to avoid creating sparks, be aware of your surroundings and report any smoke to authorities."

Evacuation orders have been issued for 19,000 people, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Wednesday afternoon.

Another 15,000 people are under evacuation warnings.

According to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, an evacuation order means there is "an immediate threat to your life and you need to leave right now!"

"An evacuation warning means there’s impending danger to your life or property. If a warning is given, assume an evacuation order will follow," Cal OES added.

Less than four hours after it started on Wednesday afternoon, the Hughes Fire rapidly grew to more than 5,000 acres near Castaic Lake and forced the closure of Interstate 5.

Another new wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County.

The Hughes Fire, north of Santa Clarita near Castaic Lake, was reported late Wednesday morning and has already grown to more than 3,400 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued to nearby residents, as a large plume of smoke could be seen along Interstate 5.

A new fire, the Bernardo Fire, broke out early Wednesday in Rancho Bernardo, Calif., according to San Diego Fire-Rescue. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued to nearby residents and students.

One person suffered burn injuries in the fire and was transported to a nearby hospital, the fire department said. It was not clear what started the fire or how the person was injured.

A brush fire broke out in Riverside County on Tuesday night, scorching nearly 40 acres and prompting evacuation warnings for residents in nearby homes before firefighters were able to stop its forward progress.

According to the Riverside County Fire Department, the fire began along a river bottom in Jurupa Valley, Calif., around 5 p.m. before it spread into heavy brush, prompting evacuation warnings.

More than 165 fire personnel, 35 fire engines, three dozers and an air tanker were assigned to the fire.

By 11 p.m., forward progress was stopped and all evacuation warnings were lifted, the fire department said. It burned a total of 38 acres and is now 40% contained.

According to the latest status update from Cal Fire, the Eaton Fire — which has scorched more than 14,000 acres — is now 91% contained.

"Firefighters continue to mop up and extinguish hot spots within the perimeter of the fire," Cal Fire said late Tuesday.

The fire, which broke out between Altadena and Pasadena on Jan. 7, has destroyed more than 9,000 structures and left 17 people dead.

Firefighters in Los Angeles County continue to make progress in containing the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which have not grown in size over the last week.

According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and is 63% contained. The Eaton Fire has burned 14,021 acres and is 89% contained.

The fires have destroyed more than 15,000 structures and left at least 27 people dead.

On Sunday, evacuation orders were lifted for some residents affected by the Eaton Fires. In some areas affected by the Palisades fire, evacuation orders were lifted Monday.

The new fires come amid the return of strong Santa Ana winds that fueled the deadly wildfire outbreak earlier this month. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles issued “particularly dangerous situation” warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday afternoon and fire weather watches through Thursday.

“Humidities will drastically lower to the single digits. Along with the extremely dry fuels, this will create Extremely Critical fire-weather conditions and rapid fire spread with any fires,” the NWS office in Los Angeles said.

Wind gusts between 70 mph to 100 mph were possible in the mountains around the L.A. Basin, the weather service said.

The Lilac Fire was first reported around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday near Old Highway 395 in Bonsall, Calif., 46 miles north of San Diego, according to the San Diego County Fire Department. The blaze threatened numerous structures, and mandatory evacuation orders were issued for some nearby areas.

"Firefighters are making good progress on the fire. The fire activity has decreased significantly," San Diego County Fire said in an update posted on X Tuesday morning.

The blaze, as of Tuesday afternoon, was 85 acres and 35% contained, according to Cal Fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, fire officials said.

A second blaze, the Pala Fire, broke out along the same highway in Pala Mesa, Calif., and burned 17 acres before firefighters were able to stop its forward progress.

Favorable weather conditions helped firefighters further contain the two biggest wildfires still burning in Southern California on Friday.

Here's a recap of the day's developments:

• The death toll from the fires rose to 27 confirmed dead, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said

• The Eaton Fire, which destroyed thousands of houses in Altadena and Pasadena, is now 65% contained

• "Much higher humidity values and mostly weak winds have resulted in much improved fire weather conditions," the National Weather Service said Friday morning

• But another Santa Ana wind event is forecast to arrive on Monday night, albeit with more moderate winds than were experienced when the Palisades Fire erupted last week

• L.A. has had a record 255 days without recording more than a tenth of an inch of rain, the National Weather Service said

Southern California is experiencing a historic drought. How historic?

According to the National Weather Service, the last day on which one-tenth of an inch of rain was recorded in downtown Los Angeles was May 5, 2024 — a record 255 days ago, breaking the previous mark of 253 set in 2008.

Since Oct. 1, downtown L.A. has seen a total of just 0.16 inches of rain, tied for the second-driest stretch for that period since 1903. The city normally averages 5.53 inches of rain between Oct. 1 and Jan. 15, per the weather service.

A "very welcome" marine layer has returned to the Los Angeles area, the National Weather Service said Friday, after weeks-long bouts of bone-dry air and strong winds that fueled the wildfire outbreak.

A marine layer is a mass of cool, moist air that forms over large bodies of water, such as the Pacific Ocean, causing low-lying clouds or fog to develop onshore.

"Much higher humidity values and mostly weak winds have resulted in much improved fire weather conditions this morning, very welcome news for a city that has faced excessive dryness and extreme fire conditions for the past few weeks," the weather service said.

However, forecasters say that "it appears that at least a moderate Santa Ana wind event is likely" for the area Monday night through Wednesday, with gusty winds and very low relative humidity values of 10% or less.

The Eaton Fire, which has scorched more than 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 7,000 structures in Altadena and Pasadena, is now 65% contained, officials said Friday.

"Firefighters continue to work on constructing and improving containment lines in steep, inaccessible terrain," the L.A. County Fire Department said in a press release. "Containment continues to grow, and the fire is expected to stay within its current footprint."

Weather conditions have improved and a "moist marine influence" should allow firefighters to gain more ground before dry air returns next week, the department said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.