At least 27 people have died in the Eaton and Palisades fires, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Thursday evening. Seventeen of the deaths are from the Eaton Fire in Altadena and 10 from the Palisades Fire, according to the medical examiner.

With parts of Los Angeles County still smoldering from wildfires, the expected rain this weekend would seem like a welcome relief. But how the rain falls could make the difference between a disaster respite or a disaster repeat.

San Diego scientists are collecting samples of ash from California's coast to measure how toxins and urban debris from the Los Angeles wildfires could affect nearby fisheries and the food webs of local ecosystems.

Rain was falling across Southern California on Sunday, bringing some relief to thousands of firefighters who have been battling multiple major wildfires in the LA area.