LAFD Captain Erik Scott Talks About Rainfall Concerns Following a Wildfire
Channel: LAFD
Date: 2021-12-14

When a significant wildfire erupts, we not only concentrate our efforts on fire suppression and evacuation, we care about recovery and mitigation efforts after the fire, including what would happen when the inevitable rain comes. We have strategic discussions with civil engineers and hydrologists to map out areas in the burn footprint of concern and identify potential threats, especially homes beneath steep burned topography… Typically, the hillside vegetation helps absorb rainwater, but an intense wildfire burns off the vegetation and leaves the soil charred, forming a water repellent layer that can block absorption. When it rains, water can bounce off the soil and create flooding and mudslides. … A key factor is the rate. If a large quantity of rain falls in a short amount of time, the threat increases. Residents need to review their property for areas of concern and take appropriate action like utilizing sandbags to divert water from their homes. Your LAFD continues to lean forward to ensure your safety. We ask you to visit LAFD.org to learn more.