Fact Sheet - Floods And Fires

• Recent wildfires have drastically increased the threat of floods.
  
  
• Even though fire activity has diminished, the threat of disaster has not subsided. The monsoon season is upon the west, bringing heavy rains that have already caused flooding and mudslides in burn areas.
  
  
• Colorado had its worst wildfires on record in 2002. More than 900,000 acres were burned (926,502 acres; almost 1,450 square miles). Flooding and mudslides have already damaged property around the 137,000 acre Hayman fire.
  
  
• Each land management agency is responsible for burned area emergency rehabilitation (BAER) efforts after a fire to protect life, property and other critical cultural and natural resources. These teams help prevent another disaster in areas that have become susceptible to flooding and mudslides through reseeding the land, mulching, placing erosion barriers and breaking up damaged forest soils.
  
  
• While the land can never be returned to its pre-fire condition, BAER teams can help stabilize soil, protect watersheds and habitat and prevent irreversible loss of natural and cultural resources to floods and mudslides.
  
  
• People who live near areas that have been burned face an increased risk of flooding. There is no canopy of trees to break the rainfall, and no ground cover to soak up moisture or cushion the impact of rain on the ground. This leaves bare ground over very large areas, often on steep hillsides, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides.
  
  
• Landowners can take many of the same actions as the BAER team. More information is available at www.colostate.edu/Depts/CSFS
  
  
• People who live in areas at risk of flooding, especially near areas affected by wildfires, as well as along rivers and streams, should buy flood insurance. Standard homeowners' policies do NOT cover flood damage.
  
  
• For a list of agents who offer flood insurance policies, call 1.800.427.4661, or online at www.fema.gov/nfip.
  
  
• The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition implements the Forest Health Program in partnership with western states, the USDA Forest Service and other private and government entities. These programs promote the health and productivity of our nation's forests and rural economies. Healthy forests control flooding, and keep forest economies healthy. For more information visit www.wflccenter.org.