Multi-Agency Response to Multi-Hazards

With the southern California wildfires nearly contained, Federal, State, local, and tribal officials are beginning to implement post-fire response efforts to assess the impact of wildfires on watersheds in the burned areas. Burned vegetation and altered soils will increase the threat of flooding, erosion, and debris flows. USGS Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project Chief Scientists, Dr. Lucy Jones and USGS California Water Science Center Director, Michael Shulters, were named as representatives to on a federal, state, local, and tribal task force that will begin the process of assessing conditions in the burned areas, and implement measures to reduce damage from flooding, erosion, and debris flows in southern California. The wide range of efforts at all levels of government to address the threat posed by flooding, erosion, and debris flows has the potential to result in conflicts in priorities, competition for resources, and gaps in assistance. (Contact Dale A. Cox, Project Manager, USGS Mutli-Hazards Demonstration Project, 916-997-4209)