Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
With fires coming under control, LA preps for mudslides
A sign sits near a creek in Eaton Canyon in 2023 when recent storms caused mudslides on hiking trails.
(
Wally Skalij
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
With charred earth all over L.A. County, officials are preparing for possible mudslides. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday that clears the way for reinforcing hillsides and cleaning out waterways quickly in anticipation of rain.
What the order does: With thunderstorms in the forecast this weekend, the order suspends environmental protection laws that would usually require impact studies and other bureaucratic delays.
Eaton Canyon had rushing water and several mudslides after recent storms.
(
Jackie Orchard
/
LAist
)
Support for LAist comes from
Why now? Scientists say mudslides are more likely in burn scar areas because the vegetation that stabilizes soil is gone. Burn scar areas can also be less likely to absorb rain water.
“As burn scars do not absorb water at normal rates, they create a risk for mudslides, landslides, flash floods, and debris flows. Today’s action will help mitigate this risk and protect communities by hastening efforts to remove debris, bolster flood defenses, and stabilize hillsides in affected areas,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.
Why it matters: Two people died because of the Thomas Fire, which burned through Santa Barbara County in late 2017. But the mudslides that followed killed 23 people in the town of Montecito and surrounding areas.
Go deeper:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist