wildfires

Land areas recently burned by wildfires are more susceptible to mudslides, debris flows, and erosion during subsequent heavy rainfall or thunderstorms because loss of vegetation and altered soil properties reduce slope stability.

Areas recently affected by wildfires are at increased risk of mudslides and debris flows during subsequent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

Hillsides and landscapes stripped of vegetation by wildfires are more prone to mudslides, landslides, and flash flooding during subsequent heavy rainfall because vegetation normally helps hold soil in place.

High winds increase wildfire spread rates and can force grounding of aerial firefighting aircraft, which reduces the effectiveness of air-based fire suppression operations.

Holdover wildfires can smolder underground in vegetation or root systems and later reignite, potentially days after the initial ignition.

Wildfires can remove vegetation from hillsides, which reduces soil stability and increases the likelihood of debris flows, mudslides, and landslides during subsequent heavy rainfall.

Areas recently burned by wildfires have increased flash flood risk because the loss of vegetation reduces the land's ability to retain water and to allow infiltration into the soil.