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SAN FRANCISCO — Violent thunderstorms brought rain bursts that helped California firefighting efforts Sunday, but the downpours also triggered mudslides that complicated the unfolding disaster.
“If it isn’t fire, it’s flood. If it isn’t fire or flood, it’s the mud,” said Christina Lilien thal, an interagency fire spokeswoman.
A “horrendous” amount of precipitation in the Sequoia National Forest dampened the ground but flooded a creek, cutting off a firefighting crew’s escape route when a road washed out, Lilienthal said. The flames did not threaten the 59 firefighters, and they stayed in a field overnignt, she said.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said 288 blazes were burning across the state.
