THE IMPACT OF THE LOW-INTENSITY LOST COVE FIRE ON SOIL MOVEMENT AND A HORIZON PROPERTIES, BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, NC

Previous research indicates that wildfires fundamentally alter soils on a chemical and physical level, increasing hydrophobicity, erosion, deposition, and runoff. In recent years, research in the Southern Appalachians has corroborated these findings. However, much of the region remains understudied despite an increase in the frequency of fires and drought in the region. This study focuses on soil erosion, deposition, and changes in basic soil properties of the low-intensity Lost Cove Fire, which burned in December of 2021 within the Grandfather Mountain District of Pisgah National Forest. To measure these effects, we installed erosion pins (n = 24) across various sites within the fire’s burn area (n = 7) including both burned and unburned sections. Soil samples and cores were collected at each site, and measured for organic matter content and horizon thickness, respectively. Results indicate that burned sites had more variable erosion rates compared to unburned sites, significantly lower organic matter content, and thinner A Horizons. Our results indicate that, while low-intensity, the Lost Cove Fire significantly impacted soil erosion and deposition rates due to a loss in organic topsoils and increased soil hydrophobicity. While more scholarly attention is necessary in the region for subsequent fires, these results have important implications for nearby communities in the Blue Ridge and contribute to a growing consensus on wildfire’s impact on erosion, debris flow potential, and soil characteristics.