09/09/2020
Although wildfires are a natural and important part of many ecosystems, recent fires in California have been more devastating than ever before. According to CalFire, over 2.3 million acres have burned so far during the 2020 fire season, compared with 118k acres in 2019.
As residents of the Coachella Valley have seen over the last few days, even distant wildfires can have a severe impact on air quality. According to studies done by the EPA, water supplies can also be affected during wildfires, and for years afterward. During active burns, ash and contaminants can settle on rivers, lakes, and water reservoirs.
The first photo is of the Whitewater after a wildfire some weeks ago, where the vegetation that held soil in place is now burned away. The absence of vegetation in a watershed can cause erosion or flooding during rain events.
While it may not be raining anytime soon here in the low desert, the rains in the San Gorgonio mountain range could sweep vast quantities of ash, sediment, nutrients, and contaminants down into the Whitewater, making groundwater recharge and water treatment difficult. The Whitewater preserve in recent weeks has been under not only fire watch, but flash flood watch for this very reason.
To keep up to date on closures at the Whitewater, follow
@ Whitewater Preserve
