LA Times: Threat of mudslides returns to California after devastating fires. How do they work?

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory in Southern California on Thanksgiving Day, saying that the rain could cause mudflows in areas that were previously affected by the Getty Fire and Palisades Fire. For a mudslide to happen, all it takes is an intense amount of rain in a short amount of time; this creates a dangerous flow of mud and debris that can destroy houses and kill people. Before a wildfire, the vegetation holds the soil in place, even in heavy storms. When a wildfire occurs, the protective layer of plants is burnt off, making the hillsides vulnerable to erosion. The heat from the fire also makes it harder for the water to infiltrate the soil, allowing rainwater to run down the hill and pick up debris. For the full article, click here.