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.
Learn more:
Related
What is a landslide and what causes one?
Why study landslides?
Do human activities cause landslides?
How many deaths result from landslides each year?
What is the difference between a landslide advisory, a landslide watch, and a landslide warning?
Can major landslides and debris flows happen in all areas of the U.S.?
How do landslides cause tsunamis?

Title: Post-Fire Debris-Flow Early Warning: The case for forecast-based warning systems

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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
LANDFIRE
Characterizing 12 years of wildland fire science at the U.S. Geological Survey: Wildland Fire Science Publications, 2006–17
Wildland Fire Science — Supporting wildland fire and land management
The 3D Elevation Program—Landslide recognition, hazard assessment, and mitigation support
Real-time monitoring of landslides
The Landslide Handbook - A Guide to Understanding Landslides
Wildfire hazards—A national threat
Southern California landslides-an overview
NOAA-USGS Debris-Flow Warning System - Final Report
Landslide hazards: A national threat
Related
What is a landslide and what causes one?
Why study landslides?
Do human activities cause landslides?
How many deaths result from landslides each year?
What is the difference between a landslide advisory, a landslide watch, and a landslide warning?
Can major landslides and debris flows happen in all areas of the U.S.?
How do landslides cause tsunamis?

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

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.
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.
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.
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.

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.