Newly released federal and state wildfire reports offer a grim assessment on threats to life, homes and drinking water supplies if hard rains hit steep slopes charred in last month's wildfires. Those most at risk appear to be residents of rural eastern Orange County, portions of Bouquet Canyon and Val Verde in Los Angeles County, and vacation homes in the Angeles and San Bernardino national forests, according to the reports and government officials. More than $6 million in federal emergency funds have been approved in the last week to stabilize denuded forest lands, many of which sit above threatened communities. In many cases though, residents will have to rely on their own judgment to determine if they should evacuate, as applications of sandbags or straw bales may do little to help.

To view the full article, visit the LA Times. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.