After the Fire: What to Expect

More than 700 firefighters bravely battled the Station Fire in an effort to contain the largest wildfire in Los Angeles County history. This atrocious and deadly fire burned more than 160,000 acres, dozens of dwellings were destroyed and sadly, the lives of two firefighters were lost.

Our thoughts and sincere prayers go out to the families of the firefighters who lost their lives, and my deepest sympathies are with those who lost homes and businesses in these devastating fires. Those who worked tirelessly – for days upon end - to minimize the losses should be commended, and to the Red Cross and numerous volunteers who responded immediately, we thank you.

With every day that passes, the threat of further structural damage and injury, from the Station Fire itself, diminishes. But almost like clockwork, in a counter-balance fashion, the looming threat of mudslides grows. In some cases the intense heat of the fire will cause the charred soil to “seal” itself, preventing any absorption of water thus leading to rapid run-off. Needless to say, certain steps must be taken to address this very real threat.

Contained within the Los Angeles National Forest are four watersheds that supply the Los Angeles basin with 35% of its water. It is taking the work of special teams of scientists and emergency response professionals to determine the extent of the damage caused by the Station Fire and to decide which mitigation techniques ought to be used.

Teams are being prepared to address any effects those efforts have had on the environment and roads in the burn area. Rehabilitating these roads are essential to further post-fire response efforts. Once this has been achieved, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are deployed to assess and identify potential problem areas. The team’s efforts can range from warning-sign placement to habitat protection for threatened and endangered species. Their work will continue for years to come.

The efforts of the emergency response teams and the post-fire response teams hardly go unnoticed but the fear is that as the fire’s threat fades so will the public’s awareness of the situation that is still brewing. As many of us have chosen to live against the magnificent vista of hills and mountains, we must stay ever vigilant in preparing ourselves for nature’s natural reaction to the fire. Many of us have lived through mudslides and debris flows before, and may experience them again this year and years to come with the expected rainfall. We must continue to follow the lead of the public safety agencies and the guidance of the professionals dedicated to ascertaining further threats and mitigating them.

Although the fire itself has forever altered southern California’s scenic backdrop, our focus must remain on the fact that nature is not done. If you live in a mud flow or debris flow prone area, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works at (626) 458-5100 for information on how to prepare yourself and your home for the coming rain seasons.