Post-Fire Ash Analysis Begins

USGS scientists met today to begin collecting and analyzing ash from the recent southern California fires. USGS scientists expect the ash from the recent fires to be more characteristic of urban/suburban fires compared to wildland fires. Chemicals and components in home and infrastructure fires may carry increased amounts of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and other pollutants known to seriously impact water supplies. USGS scientists with specialized knowledge of water quality, mapping, ecosystems, and chemistry will mount a multi-hazards approach to respond to the fires. Dr. Lucy Jones, Chief Scientist of the USGS Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project is leading the USGS post-fire response. The effort to characterize the ash and its potential effects on water supplies and ecosystems is being led by USGS scientists, Deborah Martin and Eric Reichard. (Contact Dale A. Cox, Project Manager, USGS Mutli-Hazards Demonstration Project, 916-997-4209)