Christians hear the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Those words ring differently for many whose churches and homes burned in the Los Angeles fires.

Fish and other seafood, however, are considered fair game. In Biblical times, fish was an everyday food, plentiful in the Mediterranean (quite different from today when fish is way more expensive than a burger).

The faithful trudged up the hill to Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center on the first Ash Wednesday after the Eaton Fire, clutching umbrellas along with their hopes that this season of Lent could lead, from ashes to ashes and on to an Easter of new beginnings.

A storm system has moved into Southern California on Wednesday, bringing rain, a chance of thunderstorms and even a "remote risk of tornadoes," the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

With the guidance of the Lenten Devotional series, Simpson hopes that all members of the faith will use this season as a time to grow in unity, despite differences in practice.