Communities Near Southern California Fire at Risk for Floods

U.S. Forest Service officials say those living in areas around a 49-square-mile wildfire will be at risk for flooding and debris flows long after the flames are extinguished.

The Press-Enterprise in Riverside reported that the fire in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles is 90 percent contained. A special team has been trying to determine the effect the fire will have on watersheds in the San Bernardino National Forest and San Gorgonio Wilderness.

San Bernardino National Forest’s post-fire Burned Area Emergency Response team coordinator Robert Taylor says the loss of healthy soil and trees will increase erosion and runoff, putting areas downstream of the fire at high risk for floods for two years.

The fire has destroyed only one residence and three other buildings. Firefighting costs topped $30 million.

Topics California Wildfire Flood