Skip to main content

Wildfires have the potential to have devastating effects on aquatic ecosystems and community drinking water supply through impacts on water quantity and quality. Given the recent shifts in the wildfire regime in many parts of the world, the implications of wildfire for aquatic ecosystem health and downstream water uses are increasingly concerning. Moreover, our post-fire land management decisions are likely to influence the hydrologic and water quality response. Here, we will present an overview of the range of effects of wildfires on streamflow, physical water quality (e.g., suspended sediment, turbidity, stream temperature), chemical water quality (e.g., nutrients, metals), biological water quality (e.g., algal productivity, invertebrates, fish) and discuss some general implications for downstream drinking water treatment. We will also present research results on how various post-fire management options may exacerbate or mitigate post-fire effects, which will also illustrate the need for future research in this area.

Media Record Details

Apr 13, 2021
Kevin D. Bladon

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Ecology
Fire Effects
Ecological - Second Order
Aquatic Life
Fire & Economics
Post-fire Management
Post-fire Rehabilitation
Erosion Control
Recovery after fire
Restoration

NRFSN number: 23331
FRAMES RCS number: 63737
Record updated: