A Los Angeles firefighter was able to escape a department vehicle with minor injuries after floodwater and debris from the region’s recent fires pushed the car into the ocean off Malibu, California.

Just after 5 p.m. Thursday, debris flow caused by rain pushed the car off the road, Erik Scott, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, posted on X. As the car hit the ocean, the man inside got out and reached safety.

The firefighter, whom Mr. Scott didn’t name, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He returned home Friday, Mr. Scott said in a subsequent post.

On Friday, LAFD crews went to the scene to try and recover the car during low tide. Video posted by Mr. Scott shows the car resting on rocks just past the tide’s edge. The car was successfully recovered by midday, according to KNBC-TV.

The Los Angeles wildfires make the risk of debris flows worse, the LAFD said in an alert, due to the effects they have on the soil. Whereas trees and other vegetation normally absorb rainwater, their charred remains act as a barrier that prevents the soil from absorbing water.

As a result, rain bounces off the soil, forms floods and sweeps along debris and mud to create debris flows.

South of L.A., San Juan Creek in San Juan Capistrano flooded, driving a man and woman to cling to trees and bushes to avoid being swept away on Friday.

Orange County firefighters rescued them via helicopter, as they showed in a video posted to X.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.