WILDFIRES IN THE WILD LAND-URBAN INTERFACE ON NATIONAL FORESTS, EXAMPLES FROM THE 2000 THROUGH 2004 FIRES IN MONTANA AND CALIFORNIA

Large fires are becoming the norm in wild land management and have significantly increased since 2000. The impacts of these fires are having devastating consequences to people in the wild land-urban interface. Geologic hazards including landslide hazards and flood hazards pose a significant risk to people, property and natural resources. Examples in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana and central and southern California demonstrate the need for thorough geologic investigations during post fire evaluations. On the Skalkaho fire in the Bitterroot Valley, in the year 2000, multiple-million dollar homes constructed on alluvial/debris flow fans and floodplains were at risk from floods and debris flows. On the Darby Fire in Central California, in the year 2001 the town of Murphy’s and Angels Camp lost their water supply in a flume constructed in a high rock fall hazard area. In the Grand Prix – Old Fire Complex, in Southern California, in the year 2003, 16 people were killed from debris flows while occupying residences in alluvial- debris flow deposits. Geologists need to be prepared for post-fire emergency evaluations; standards need to be adopted for this work; and we need to be part of it.