After the Wildfire

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After the Wildfire

• Jerome V. De Graff
• Geologist
• USDA Forest Service

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First of an often dual natural disaster
2003 Old-Grand Prix Fires
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Waterman Canyon, CA 2003
When seasonal rainfall comes, debris flows may
occur.
Santaquin, UT 2001
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The Southern California Fire-Flood Sequence

• Relationship between wildfire and flooding in
  southern California recognized by 1930
  
• By 1950s, field studies showed that some flood
  events were actually debris flows
  
• Now known this takes place in many parts of the
  western United States

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Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
BAER teams rapidly assess emergency situations
based on the effect of vegetation loss in burned
watersheds and values-at-risk
San Bernardino, Calif.
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Burned Area Emergency Response Objectives

• Minimize threats to human life and property,
  onsite and off-site
  
• Minimize loss of soil and onsite productivity
• Minimize loss of water control and deterioration
  of water quality

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Urban growth places many more people, homes, and
other property next to National Forests. This is
the Wildland-Urban Interface.
From Chourre, M. Wright, S., 2006
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Past Fire Suppression Policies Increased Fuel
Loads
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Hayman Fire, 2002
Mollie Fire, 2001
Biscuit Complex Fire (OR), 2002
Waterfall Fire, 2004
Old Grand Prix Fires, 2003
Cerro Grande Fire, 2000
Rodeo-Chedeski, 2002
Cedar Fire,2003
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