Calif. wildfire-area communities prepare for rain

David McNew/Getty Images

A charred landscape is left in the wake of the 250-square-mile Station Fire as firefighters work to complete the final defensible fireline to contain the massive fire in the San Gabriel Mountains on September 16, 2009 in the Angeles National Forest, northeast of Los Angeles.

Southern California communities near wildfire burn areas are preparing for the possibility of mudslides as a strong Pacific storm remains on course for the West Coast.

The National Weather Service says there's a potential for widespread rain Tuesday and Wednesday, with the possibility of mud and debris flows from the burn areas.

There's particular concern for neighborhoods below the slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, where 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest burned in August and September.

Sandbags and concrete barriers called K-rail have been stationed on streets to try to direct any flows of mud and debris away from homes.

© 2009 The Associated Press.