California rain a mixed blessing

Paradise – Heavy rains were expected in northern California yesterday, raising the risk of mudslides and hindering the search for victims of the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history.

Efforts to further suppress the flames were likely to benefit from a storm expected to dump as much as 10cm of rain between late Tuesday and Friday.

But heavy showers risk setting off mudslides while also making it more difficult for forensic teams.