Firefighters are battling a fast-moving blaze in southern California that has swelled over the past day, with authorities warning that Thursday is "the period of greatest concern". The Hughes fire, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Los Angeles,

California passed a set of bills to expedite LA wildfire recovery funds as part of an extended special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to Palisades and Eaton fires.

Forecasters don’t expect the kind of rainfall that led to some of the region’s most destructive recent land flows. The Santa Barbara County community of Montecito was virtually destroyed after a winter storm immediately followed the Thomas Fire, a blaze that killed 23 people.

With parts of Los Angeles County still smoldering from wildfires and new blazes flaring up, expected rainfall this weekend would seem like a welcome relief.

Los Angeles is forecast to receive desperately needed rain this weekend, providing relief to first responders battling four active fires in the region while also creating the risk of new hazards including mudslides,