With many parts of Los Angeles County still smoldering from wildfires, the expected rain this weekend would seem like a welcome relief. But how the rain falls could make the difference between a disaster respite or a disaster repeat.

Over 1,100 firefighters were “strategically pre-positioned” across Southern California to address "ongoing critical fire weather," Cal Fire said.

First discovered: 1:28 p.m. Jan. 24 A new wildfire was reported today at 1:28 p.m. in Inyo County. The wildfire has been burning on city land. Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause has not yet been determined.

The Hughes Fire burned some 10,176 acres but that figure held steady throughout the day as 4,000 firefighters dropped water and retardant from the air and used hand tools and hoses on the ground.

While the insurance cost of the devastation is estimated to be around $30 billion, another tally puts the total damage at upward of $250 billion.