(KTLA-TV)
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- At least six homes were evacuated overnight after a quick burst of heavy rainfall caused debris flow on the mountain slopes denuded by this summer's Station Fire.
The mudslides occurred near the top of Ocean View Boulevard in La Canada Flintridge, said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Frederic Stowers.
No injuries were reported and residents of six homes evacuated themselves, officials said.
Some vehicles were partially buried, and driveways and garages were blocked by the flows.
The sudden storm came without warning.
"This was an uncharted storm and we had 1 to 2 inches of rain in less than 20 minutes," Stowers said. "This area was burned by the Station Fire. Mud let loose from the top of the mountain."
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the Station Fire burn area at 11:32 p.m. Thursday, warning of heavy showers in the San Gabriel Mountains. Rain gauges in the burn area were reporting .3 inches of rain in 30 minutes and the flood advisory warned minor debris flows were likely.
But the storm cells formed so quickly that forecasters in Oxnard couldn't see them initially, and residents near the top of Ocean View Boulevard in La Canada Flintridge learned of the flows when they heard the mud and rocks moving, according to Stowers.
The flood advisory has since been canceled.
Once the storm hit, debris began flowing almost immediately, Battalion Chief Steve Martin of the Los Angeles County Fire Department told KTLA.
Several residents who self-evacuated found mud about two to three feet deep on their properties, Martin said. At least six homes sustained minor to moderate damage.
About 75 firefighters and public works employees were helping with the cleanup efforts.
K-rail had already been placed along some streets in the area, however, mud came over some of those barriers, Stowers said. Sandbags were also being used to protect properties from flowing debris.
Rock Castle Drive was closed because of the mess but has since reopened.
The slide threat in the fire-ravaged area is expected to remain for at least the next few years.
The Station Fire broke out in late August, burned 160,000 acres, destroyed dozens of dwellings and killed two firefighters. Investigators believe the blaze was started by an arsonist.
The mudslides occurred near the top of Ocean View Boulevard in La Canada Flintridge, said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Frederic Stowers.
No injuries were reported and residents of six homes evacuated themselves, officials said.
Some vehicles were partially buried, and driveways and garages were blocked by the flows.
The sudden storm came without warning.
"This was an uncharted storm and we had 1 to 2 inches of rain in less than 20 minutes," Stowers said. "This area was burned by the Station Fire. Mud let loose from the top of the mountain."
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the Station Fire burn area at 11:32 p.m. Thursday, warning of heavy showers in the San Gabriel Mountains. Rain gauges in the burn area were reporting .3 inches of rain in 30 minutes and the flood advisory warned minor debris flows were likely.
But the storm cells formed so quickly that forecasters in Oxnard couldn't see them initially, and residents near the top of Ocean View Boulevard in La Canada Flintridge learned of the flows when they heard the mud and rocks moving, according to Stowers.
The flood advisory has since been canceled.
Once the storm hit, debris began flowing almost immediately, Battalion Chief Steve Martin of the Los Angeles County Fire Department told KTLA.
Several residents who self-evacuated found mud about two to three feet deep on their properties, Martin said. At least six homes sustained minor to moderate damage.
About 75 firefighters and public works employees were helping with the cleanup efforts.
K-rail had already been placed along some streets in the area, however, mud came over some of those barriers, Stowers said. Sandbags were also being used to protect properties from flowing debris.
Rock Castle Drive was closed because of the mess but has since reopened.
The slide threat in the fire-ravaged area is expected to remain for at least the next few years.
The Station Fire broke out in late August, burned 160,000 acres, destroyed dozens of dwellings and killed two firefighters. Investigators believe the blaze was started by an arsonist.
