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Unsettled Weather in the West; Wintry Mix and Ice Accumulation Possible in Iowa and Vicinity

Significant low elevation rain and higher elevation snow is expected across central California and the Pacific Northwest into the Rockies through the weekend. A wintry mix and some ice accumulation will impact portions of the Central Plains through the Upper Midwest through Saturday. Widespread rain is forecast across the Southern Plains into the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys this weekend. Read More >

Wyoming Flood Awareness - Flash

Flooding in Fire Scars

Burn scar flooding washed away this ATV near Casper

 

Index Flash Flooding Snowmelt / Run-off Flood Safety Burn Scar Flooding AHPS / Drought Social Media

Burn Scars and Flash Flooding

Wildfires and Flooding

The extraordinary wildfire season of 2012 has some lasting effects on the landscape, both in the immediate area and locations that may be several miles away.  Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are very susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows, especially near steep terrain. Rainfall that would normally be absorbed will run off extremely quickly after a wildfire, as burned soil can be as water repellant as pavement. As a result much less rainfall is required to produce a flash flood. A good rule of thumb is: "If you can look uphill from where you are and see a burnt-out area, you are at risk."

2012 and 2013 Wildfire Burn Scars

Click on one of the five tabs below to view a map of the burn scar associated with that fire.  In addition, the map gives the name of main water drainages and the expected direction of water flow.

 

Alpine Lake Fire Fontenelle Fire Gilead Fire Horsethief Canyon Fire Casper Sheep Herder Hill Fire

 

Fairfield Hill Fire

 

What is a debris flow?

As water runs downhill through burned areas it can create major erosion and pick up large amounts of ash, sand, silt, rocks and burned vegetation (Trees). The force of the rushing water and debris can damage or destroy culverts, bridges, roadways, and buildings even miles away from the burned area.

How Can I Be Prepared?

In the event of moderate to heavy rainfall, do not wait for a flash flood warning in order to take steps to protect life and property. Thunderstorms that develop over the burned area may begin to produce flash flooding and debris flows before a warning can be issued. If you are in an area vulnerable to flooding and debris flows, plan in advance and move away from the area. There may be very little time to react once the storms and rain start.

How much rainfall is required to produce a flash flood after a wildfire?

The time required for a flash flood to begin depends on how severe the fire was and how steep the terrain is, combined with the rate of precipitation. Steep terrain combined with a severe burn scar and light precipitation can result in flash flooding within minutes of precipitation beginning. Areas of less severe burn damage and flatter terrain will be able to absorb more water leading to more time before flooding develops even in heavier precipitation. A general rule of thumb is that half an inch of rainfall in less than an hour is sufficient to cause Flash Flooding in a burn area, but this can be more or less depending on the factors above. The susceptibility to flash flood within the burned area is greatest during the first two years following the fire.  The important point is that for any burn area it will take much less rainfall to result in flash flooding than it would have before the wildfire occurred. In fact, Thunderstorms that develop over burn areas can produce Flash Flooding and Debris Flows nearly as fast as National Weather Service radar can detect the rainfall. If heavy rainfall is observed even for a very short time there is the potential for Flash Flooding and/or Debris Flows.

How long will there be an elevated risk of Flash Flooding and Debris Flows?

This depends on the severity of the wildfire that occurred as well as how much erosion occurs. It could take many years for vegetation to become reestablished and this is the main factor in slowing the precipitation run off that creates Flash Flooding and Debris Flows. Most burn areas will be prone to this activity for at least two years. Each wildfire burn area poses its own unique risk of Flash Flooding due to many factors including proximity to population centers, burn severity, steepness of terrain, and size of the burned area.

 

 Pre-Fire Ground Condition  Post-Fire Ground Condition  What happens when heavy rain falls on a fire burn scar?
Pre-Fire Ground Conditions Post-Fire Ground Conditions

What happens when
heavy rain falls on a
fire burn scar? 

  

Burn Scar Flooding Example: Casper Mountain July 29th 2013

July 29th 2013 burn scar flooding near Casper

On the evening of July 29th 2013, Casper experienced strong thunderstorms that brought gusty winds, hail, a ton of lightning, and lots of rain. A Flash Flood warning was issued (top left) as Natrona County Emergency Managers relayed reports of flooding east of Casper. In addition, the Casper area received from a quarter to nearly an inch of rain in 24 hours, much of which fell in a 20 minute span on the evening of the 29th. An estimated one half to three-quarters of an inch of rain fell (top right) in the eastern portions of the Sheep Herder Hill Fire Area (top center) on Casper Mountain. This heavy rain on a recent burn scar caused flooding and debris flow along the Clear Fork of Muddy Creek. This flooding damaged several homes, washed vehicles and ATVs downstream (bottom three), and proved the dangers of heavy rain on a recent burn scar.    

What should people who live near a burn scar do to protect themselves from potential flash flooding and debris flows?

  • Have an evacuation/escape route planned that is least likely to be impacted by Flash Flooding or
    Debris Flows
  • Have an Emergency Supply Kit available
  • Stay informed before and during any potential event; knowing where to obtain National Weather Service (NWS) Outlooks, Watches and Warnings via the NWS Website, Facebook, Twitter, or All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio
  • Be alert if any rain develops. Do not wait for a warning to evacuate should heavy rain develop.
  • Call 911 if you are caught in a Flash Flood or Debris Flow
  • Additional Flood Safety information is available on the web here
  • Property Protection information from NRCS is available here
  • Contact local officials for additional risk information and potential mitigation efforts
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