After a day of strong winds that helped fuel small, scattered fires across Southern California, a reprieve from extreme fire danger may be in sight. A small amount of rain is in the forecast beginning late Friday through early Saturday, a much-anticipated change of weather for the region, which has suffered through a prolonged dry spell that has fueled deadly and destructive fires. Nevertheless, Southern California is not out of the woods yet when it comes to fire risk. On Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service extended its red flag warning — which had been scheduled to expire at 10 p.m. — until 8 p.m. Thursday due to an anticipated boost in wind coupled with persistent low humidity. … Although a smattering of rain would be beneficial for dry conditions, too much could trigger mudflows and landslides within burn scars.

Related wildfire and water supply articles:

• The Associated Press: Fire risk and strong winds continue in Southern California with potential rain on the horizon
• Los Angeles Times: Expected rain will snap L.A.’s dry streak, but it won’t snuff out fire season, forecasters say
• Newsweek: California rain could bring new dangers from wildfires
• Fox News: California water supply crucial for LA wildfire response allowed to run dry months before infernos: lawsuit
• NPR: Conspiracies are rife about water and the LA fires. Here’s what experts say
• Jefferson Public Radio (Ashland, Ore.): Solution to climate change may be ingrained in indigenous stewardship
• Los Angeles Daily News: Trump’s threat to withhold disaster aid upsets communities in Southern California
• CNN: Strong winds remain a threat to Southern California as firefighters bat down new wildfires
• History: The California water wars: How LA got its water supply