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Current Storm Not Expected To Pose Problem For Thomas Fire Burn Zone, But Bigger One Brewing

A storm system which has created widespread cloud cover and some showers for parts of the Central and South Coasts isn’t expected to pose a risk for recent brush fire burn areas. But, there could be a bigger system which could create problems in the Thomas, and Whittier Fire burn zones next week.

Some long overdue rain is finally in the forecast, which is good news for parts of the region, but a cause for concern in recent brush fire burn zones. The system now in the area could drop up to a quarter of an inch of rain north of Point Conception, and perhaps a tenth of an inch in Ventura County through Thursday.

It’s not expected to be an issue for the Thomas Fire burn zone. That fire remains at 92% contained, with nearly 282,000 acres burned.

But, National Weather Service forecasters warn there is the potential for a much stronger system next week. A cutoff low could potentially drop one to two inches of rain in Santa Barbara and Ventura County mountain areas during a six hour period. It creates a concern about the potential for flooding, debris flows and mudslides in the Thomas and Whitter burn areas.

Forecasters say it’s too early to predict for sure whether the cutoff low will develop, but that everyone will need to keep close tabs on the situation for the next few days.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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