By Mary O’KEEFE

Though light rain was expected on Tuesday night, the community prepared for a heavy soaking later in the week. The bulk of the rain was not expected to move into Los Angeles County until late Wednesday with more expected today.

“The key day is today [Thursday] for rain,” said Kathy Hoxsie, meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Oxnard.

Hoxsie added NOAA is expecting 2.5 to 3 inches of rain to fall in the area between Tuesday night and the end of today.

“We do have a chance of isolated thunderstorms,” she added.

It was not expected to be a cold storm so snow levels would not be low and winds were not expected to be too high, with gusts up to 35 miles per hour.

“We do have a flash flood advisory for burn areas,” she said.

For locals, that will include areas of Tujunga and the La Tuna Canyon area including La Tuna Canyon, which was closed on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

According to a statement released by mutual aid, including Los Angeles city and county fire departments, LA Police Dept., and LA Sheriff’s Dept., additional resources were deployed as a proactive measure for the storm.

“There have been K-rails placed [along] La Tuna Canyon,” said Chief Moore, spokesperson for the mutual aid.

“Individuals who reside in the areas affected by the La Tuna Canyon, Creek and Skirball fires [were] prepared for evacuations and street closures. Residents with large animals were advised to secure a safe location to shelter their animals. Voluntary relocation of large animals was provided by the Equestrian Park at the Hansen Dam, 11127 Orcas Ave., Lake View Terrace as of Wednesday as well.

Voluntary evacuations in the La Tuna Canyon Fire burn areas began on Wednesday evening. The evacuations include from the 9000 block of La Tuna Canyon Road to Sunland Boulevard, from Day Street (north border) to Plainview Avenue (east border) to Sherman Grove Avenue (west border).

Mandatory evacuations in the La Tuna Canyon Fire burn area began on Wednesday in the 8300 to the 9000 block of La Tuna Canyon Road. The 8300 block of La Tuna Canyon Road to the 210 Freeway will be closed according to the joint information command center. Mandatory evacuations had included Kagel Canyon, Lopez Canyon and Little Tujunga Canyon, but those were lifted as of 6 p.m. Wednesday evening.

There is not a lot of drying out expected in the near future.

“Looks like we will be dry through Monday and some unsettled possibilities next week,” Hoxsie said.

  JESSY SHELTON, Mary Okeefe