Some UCLA students breathed a sigh of relief when rain began to
fall Friday.
While students usually dread days they are forced to dig out
their umbrellas, the rain was a welcome sight for those whose homes
were threatened by the Southern California wildfires.
The fires claimed nearly 750,000 acres and 3,500 homes before
the rain gave firefighters and homeowners alike some measure of
relief Friday night.
The rain, coupled with a reduction in wind speeds, helped
firefighters contain the once-virulent flames. The largest of the
fires, the Cedar Fire, is expected to be fully under control by
Nov. 16.
In the meantime, students from across Southern California will
learn if their homes fell victim to the fires.
With the large number of evacuated families, many UCLA students
were uneasy as the fires burned their neighborhoods. However, the
rains alleviated many of those concerns.
“In the morning, I saw the rain, and I said, “˜Yea,
it’s raining!'” said Christine Kim, a fourth-year
cognitive science student whose parents live in Granada Hills, an
area once threatened by the Simi and Piru fires.
Other students were concerned for friends and relatives.
“I felt really relieved for my aunt and my friends who
live in Rancho Cucamonga,” said Christal Thavincher, a
first-year marine biology student, in reaction to the rain.
Some students whose homes were not directly threatened by the
fires still appreciated the rain.
Graduate student Erica Bochanty said her family wasn’t
near the fires, but she was happy to see more favorable
firefighting conditions.
“It was just wonderful to see the weather change and
“¦ help out a little,” Bochanty said.
Several showers have aided firefighters since Friday. Despite a
forecasted drying trend, showers are expected to return to the area
this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The rain was simultaneously helpful and inconvenient, said LAFD
spokesman Brian Humphrey.
“Fifty-five companies of Los Angeles firefighters,
including those from LAFD Fire Station 37 in Westwood (near UCLA)
… were heartened by the change in wind and weather that brought
its own problems,” said Humphrey. “The firefighters
went from blazing heat one day to freezing rain the
next.”
Many of the local agencies fighting the fires have returned to
their stations, as the fires have been mostly contained, said
Humphrey.
With reports from Jennifer Murphy, Daily Bruin
contributor.