Heavy rains prompt orders to evacuate near burn areas

LOS ANGELES — The first in a series of Pacific storms brought heavy rain to Southern California and snow in the mountains Monday, closing some highways and snarling traffic.

Fears were that the rain could unleash mud and debris flows from large burn scars left by last year’s wildfires. Weather forecasters have predicted a series of storms, one after the other, could continue to bring rain and snow into the middle of the week.

Downtown Los Angeles received about an inch of rain Monday. Other areas saw mainly lesser amounts. Another storm was expected to reach the area Tuesday morning, bringing another downpour.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered in Riverside County for a dozen areas around where the Holy Fire, which started in August, burned. County officials warned that rain could send mud, boulders and trees crashing down denuded hillsides.

Northwest of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County, officials announced evacuation orders starting Tuesday morning for the Thomas, Sherpa and Whittier fire burn areas.

A mudslide closed a 4.4-mile section of section of Pacific Coast Highway just north of Malibu on Monday for several hours. The roadway finally reopened in the late afternoon.

High wind and snow snarled traffic north of Los Angeles on Interstate 5. The roadway remained closed Monday night.