Burn Area Concerns Build Before Rain

Firefighters said Cal State University Channel Islands looked prepared for the next storm.

The University’s Town Center area is surrounded by sand bags and straw waddles.

Ventura County Fire Capt. Mike Lindbery said waddles are netted straw bundles that can prevent burn area debris from flowing toward storm drains.

Clogged storm drains pose a problem because they are likely to lead to flooding.

Firefighters have increased staffing to deal with flooding and possible slides in the Springs Fire burn area. Last May’s fire was accidentally started by vehicle spark on the 101. By the time firefighters had it under control, the Springs Fire had jumped the highway and charred Mugu Rock and consumed 38 square miles between Camarillo, Newbury Park, Westlake and Malibu.

The California Highway Patrol shut down the Pacific Coast Highway between Las Posas and Yerba Buena roads overnight to prevent drivers from being hurt by mud and rock slides during heavy rain.