The last time it was this dry in January, there were barely more than 500 people in San Diego. The year was 1850, and only a quarter-inch of rain had fallen in six months. It made the region ripe for wildfire — but that wasn’t much of a concern. The city’s population was clustered along the coast, far from the backcountry, where most fires burned.

A critical fire threat will continue across County as Santa Ana winds and dry conditions persist through early Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Following weeks of critically bone-dry conditions, San Diego County could finally get a taste of rain over the weekend.

The National Weather Service says much of Ventura County could see a half-inch of rainfall. Here's what to expect this weekend.

Rain in the forecast for Southern California this weekend could bring relief to firefighters battling wildfires. But it also brings risks of mudslides and toxic runoff.