Title: Post-Fire Debris-Flow Early Warning: The case for forecast-based warning systems
What should I know about wildfires and debris flows?
Wildland fires are inevitable in the western United States. Expansion of human development into forested areas has created a situation where wildfires can adversely affect lives and property, as can the flooding and landslides that occur in the aftermath of the fires. There is a need to develop tools and methods to identify and quantify the potential hazards posed by landslides produced from burned watersheds.
Post-fire landslide hazards include fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows that can occur in the years immediately after wildfires in response to high intensity rainfall events, and those flows that are generated over longer time periods accompanied by root decay and loss of soil strength. Post-fire debris flows are particularly hazardous because they can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures, and endanger human life. Wildfires could potentially result in the destabilization of pre-existing deep-seated landslides over long time periods.
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Related Content
What is a landslide and what causes one?
A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The term "landslide" encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material...
Why study landslides?
Landslides are a serious geologic hazard common to almost every State in the United States. As people move into new areas of hilly or mountainous terrain, it is important to understand the nature of their potential exposure to landslide hazards, and how cities, towns, and counties can plan for land-use, engineering of new construction and infrastructure which will reduce the costs of living with...
Do human activities cause landslides?
Yes, in some cases human activities can be a contributing factor in causing landslides. Many human-caused landslides can be avoided or mitigated. They are commonly a result of building roads and structures without adequate grading of slopes, poorly planned alteration of drainage patterns, and disturbing old landslides. Detailed on-site investigation is required to determine the importance of human...
How many deaths result from landslides each year?
An average of 25-50 people are killed by landslides each year in the United States. The worldwide death toll per year due to landslides is in the thousands. Most landslide fatalities are from rock falls, debris flows, or volcanic debris flows (called lahars). Twenty-three people were killed, at least 167 injured, and more than 400 homes were damaged by a series of debris flows that impacted the...
What is the difference between a landslide advisory, a landslide watch, and a landslide warning?
An advisory is a general statement about the potential of landslide activity in a given region relative to developing rainfall predictions. An advisory may include general statements about rainfall conditions that can lead to debris-flow activity, and list precautions to be taken in the event of heavy rainfall. A watch means that landslide-activity will be possible, but is not imminent. People in...
Can major landslides and debris flows happen in all areas of the U.S.?
Landslides can and do occur in every state and territory of the U.S.; however, the type, severity, and frequency of landslide activity varies from place to place, depending on the terrain, geology, and climate. Major storms have caused major or widespread landslides in Washington state, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, North Carolina, Puerto...
How do landslides cause tsunamis?
Tsunamis are large, potentially deadly and destructive sea waves, most of which are formed as a result of submarine earthquakes. They can also result from the eruption or collapse of island or coastal volcanoes and from giant landslides on marine margins. These landslides, in turn, are often triggered by earthquakes. Tsunamis can be generated on impact as a rapidly moving landslide mass enters the...
PubTalk 10/2018 — Post-fire debris flow early warning
Title: Post-Fire Debris-Flow Early Warning: The case for forecast-based warning systems
Post-wildfire Flood and Debris Flow: 2014 Silverado Fire
In 2014, the Silverado Fire burned approximately 4 km^2 in Orange County, California. After the fire, the USGS installed an automated rain-triggered camera to monitor post-wildfire flooding and debris flow at the outlet of a small 0.6 km^2 basin within the burn area.
In 2014, the Silverado Fire burned approximately 4 km^2 in Orange County, California. After the fire, the USGS installed an automated rain-triggered camera to monitor post-wildfire flooding and debris flow at the outlet of a small 0.6 km^2 basin within the burn area.
Debris Flow Damage in California
House damaged by debris flows generated in Mullally Canyon in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. The drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
House damaged by debris flows generated in Mullally Canyon in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. The drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
Debris Flow Damage
House engulfed by debris flows generated in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. This house was west of Briar Wood Canyon in southern California. The small, but steep and rugged drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
House engulfed by debris flows generated in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. This house was west of Briar Wood Canyon in southern California. The small, but steep and rugged drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
Debris Flow Danger Follows Storms in Southern California
The powerful storms that swept through Southern California dumped a lot of rain in that region, leaving behind the danger of debris flows.
Sue Cannon, USGS research geologist, explains the hazardous situation facing residents in and near the San Gabriel Mountains, how people in the area can respond to these hazards, and what the USGS is doing to respond.
The powerful storms that swept through Southern California dumped a lot of rain in that region, leaving behind the danger of debris flows.
Sue Cannon, USGS research geologist, explains the hazardous situation facing residents in and near the San Gabriel Mountains, how people in the area can respond to these hazards, and what the USGS is doing to respond.
USGS and California Wildfires: Post Fire Debris Flow (part 1)
Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief, talks about an historic streamflow site that was buried by debris flows as a result of the 2003 fires.
Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief, talks about an historic streamflow site that was buried by debris flows as a result of the 2003 fires.
USGS and California Wildfires: Post Fire Debris Flow (part 2)
Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief talks about the potential for debris flows in central Orange County, Modjeska Canyon, as a result of the 2007 fires.
Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief talks about the potential for debris flows in central Orange County, Modjeska Canyon, as a result of the 2007 fires.
The Fire's Out, but Danger Remains: Post-Wildfire Debris Flows
After the smoke from wildfires clears, debris flows can become a big problem. USGS Research Geologist Sue Cannon talks about how.
After the smoke from wildfires clears, debris flows can become a big problem. USGS Research Geologist Sue Cannon talks about how.
Post-fire Debris Flow
Debris Flow in Cable Canyon following the 2003 Old Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains, California.
Debris Flow in Cable Canyon following the 2003 Old Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains, California.
Debris Flow in Action
A debris flow exceeding a meter in depth rushes towards the monitoring station used to measure basal force and other flow properties.
Captured by automated monitoring camera.
A debris flow exceeding a meter in depth rushes towards the monitoring station used to measure basal force and other flow properties.
Captured by automated monitoring camera.
Related Content
- FAQ
What is a landslide and what causes one?
A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity. The term "landslide" encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows. These are further subdivided by the type of geologic material...
Why study landslides?
Landslides are a serious geologic hazard common to almost every State in the United States. As people move into new areas of hilly or mountainous terrain, it is important to understand the nature of their potential exposure to landslide hazards, and how cities, towns, and counties can plan for land-use, engineering of new construction and infrastructure which will reduce the costs of living with...
Do human activities cause landslides?
Yes, in some cases human activities can be a contributing factor in causing landslides. Many human-caused landslides can be avoided or mitigated. They are commonly a result of building roads and structures without adequate grading of slopes, poorly planned alteration of drainage patterns, and disturbing old landslides. Detailed on-site investigation is required to determine the importance of human...
How many deaths result from landslides each year?
An average of 25-50 people are killed by landslides each year in the United States. The worldwide death toll per year due to landslides is in the thousands. Most landslide fatalities are from rock falls, debris flows, or volcanic debris flows (called lahars). Twenty-three people were killed, at least 167 injured, and more than 400 homes were damaged by a series of debris flows that impacted the...
What is the difference between a landslide advisory, a landslide watch, and a landslide warning?
An advisory is a general statement about the potential of landslide activity in a given region relative to developing rainfall predictions. An advisory may include general statements about rainfall conditions that can lead to debris-flow activity, and list precautions to be taken in the event of heavy rainfall. A watch means that landslide-activity will be possible, but is not imminent. People in...
Can major landslides and debris flows happen in all areas of the U.S.?
Landslides can and do occur in every state and territory of the U.S.; however, the type, severity, and frequency of landslide activity varies from place to place, depending on the terrain, geology, and climate. Major storms have caused major or widespread landslides in Washington state, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, North Carolina, Puerto...
How do landslides cause tsunamis?
Tsunamis are large, potentially deadly and destructive sea waves, most of which are formed as a result of submarine earthquakes. They can also result from the eruption or collapse of island or coastal volcanoes and from giant landslides on marine margins. These landslides, in turn, are often triggered by earthquakes. Tsunamis can be generated on impact as a rapidly moving landslide mass enters the...
- Multimedia
PubTalk 10/2018 — Post-fire debris flow early warning
Title: Post-Fire Debris-Flow Early Warning: The case for forecast-based warning systems
Title: Post-Fire Debris-Flow Early Warning: The case for forecast-based warning systems
Post-wildfire Flood and Debris Flow: 2014 Silverado FireIn 2014, the Silverado Fire burned approximately 4 km^2 in Orange County, California. After the fire, the USGS installed an automated rain-triggered camera to monitor post-wildfire flooding and debris flow at the outlet of a small 0.6 km^2 basin within the burn area.
In 2014, the Silverado Fire burned approximately 4 km^2 in Orange County, California. After the fire, the USGS installed an automated rain-triggered camera to monitor post-wildfire flooding and debris flow at the outlet of a small 0.6 km^2 basin within the burn area.
Debris Flow Damage in CaliforniaHouse damaged by debris flows generated in Mullally Canyon in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. The drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
House damaged by debris flows generated in Mullally Canyon in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. The drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
Debris Flow DamageHouse engulfed by debris flows generated in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. This house was west of Briar Wood Canyon in southern California. The small, but steep and rugged drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
House engulfed by debris flows generated in response to a rainstorm on February 6, 2010. This house was west of Briar Wood Canyon in southern California. The small, but steep and rugged drainage basin above this home was burned the previous summer by the Station Fire, the largest fire in the history of Los Angeles County.
Debris Flow Danger Follows Storms in Southern CaliforniaThe powerful storms that swept through Southern California dumped a lot of rain in that region, leaving behind the danger of debris flows.
Sue Cannon, USGS research geologist, explains the hazardous situation facing residents in and near the San Gabriel Mountains, how people in the area can respond to these hazards, and what the USGS is doing to respond.
The powerful storms that swept through Southern California dumped a lot of rain in that region, leaving behind the danger of debris flows.
Sue Cannon, USGS research geologist, explains the hazardous situation facing residents in and near the San Gabriel Mountains, how people in the area can respond to these hazards, and what the USGS is doing to respond.
USGS and California Wildfires: Post Fire Debris Flow (part 1)Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief, talks about an historic streamflow site that was buried by debris flows as a result of the 2003 fires.
Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief, talks about an historic streamflow site that was buried by debris flows as a result of the 2003 fires.
USGS and California Wildfires: Post Fire Debris Flow (part 2)Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief talks about the potential for debris flows in central Orange County, Modjeska Canyon, as a result of the 2007 fires.
Jim Bowers, USGS, California Hydrologic Monitoring Program Chief talks about the potential for debris flows in central Orange County, Modjeska Canyon, as a result of the 2007 fires.
The Fire's Out, but Danger Remains: Post-Wildfire Debris FlowsAfter the smoke from wildfires clears, debris flows can become a big problem. USGS Research Geologist Sue Cannon talks about how.
After the smoke from wildfires clears, debris flows can become a big problem. USGS Research Geologist Sue Cannon talks about how.
Post-fire Debris FlowDebris Flow in Cable Canyon following the 2003 Old Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains, California.
Debris Flow in Cable Canyon following the 2003 Old Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains, California.
Debris Flow in ActionA debris flow exceeding a meter in depth rushes towards the monitoring station used to measure basal force and other flow properties.
Captured by automated monitoring camera.
A debris flow exceeding a meter in depth rushes towards the monitoring station used to measure basal force and other flow properties.
Captured by automated monitoring camera.
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