LOS ANGELES — It was one of the largest, longest and most lethal harmful algae blooms in Southern California’s recorded history, claiming the lives of hundreds of dolphins and sea lions between Baja California and the Central Coast. And now, finally, it’s over.

Levels of toxic algae in Southern California coastal waters have declined in recent weeks below thresholds that pose a threat to marine wildlife, according to the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, which monitors algae blooms.

Although this provides a respite for marine mammals and the people working to save them from neurotoxin poisoning, scientists warned that the coastal ecosystem is not in the clear yet.

Just as January’s firestorms struck well outside Southern California’s typical fire season, this explosion

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