Foothill Communities Burned by Station Fire Prep for Mudslides

The aftermath of the Station Fire means picking up the pieces for those who live in communities tucked into the foothills, like La Cañada-Flintridge and La Crescenta. What lies ahead, however, is the one-two punch of Mother Nature, as heavy rains will likely trigger mudslides and debris flow down the slopes of the recently-scorched hillsides.

This weekend in a community meeting aimed to promote ways for residents to protect their property in the coming months, "Glendale and Los Angeles County officials briefed residents on an aggressive plan that has been in the works since the massive Station fire scorched the Foothills — leaving the hillsides bare and prone to runoff and mudflow," reports the Glendale News Press.

In order to prevent what could easily become a second wave of disaster, officials are working on "preventive and emergency response plans, which address erosion and flood control and evacuation plans" that they are working to impart on residents. The goal is to direct any mudflow away from properties and into the streets where it can be more easily managed. Debris catch basins are being cleared to prepare for the winter storms, and so far Glendale "has acquired about 2,000 feet of “K-rail” barriers and has filled more than 3,000 sandbags to be placed on the hillsides."