A Warming Climate Adds Complexity to Post-Fire Hydrologic Hazard Planning

Climate change will likely increase the frequency of damaging post-wildfire floods and debris flows, amplifying the threat to life, property, and infrastructure situated in susceptible areas. Decision-makers are in need of resources to support planning for the changing characteristics of these hazards. A novel framework for evaluating post-fire debris flow recurrence intervals (Kean & Staley, 2021, ) supports this need and allows for the integration of emerging information. While this is a valuable step forward, simulations of past and future climate at relevant spatial and temporal scales as well as additional monitoring efforts are needed to effectively address post-fire hydrologic hazards in a warming climate.

Automated summary

Climate change may increase the frequency of post-wildfire floods and debris flows, posing a greater threat to life, property, and infrastructure in vulnerable areas. Decision-makers require resources to plan for these evolving hazards. While a novel framework provides support for this need, simulations of climate past and future as well as increased monitoring efforts are necessary to effectively address post-fire hydrologic risks in a warming climate.