Post-Wildfire Debris Flows: Federal Role in Assessment and Warning

During and after a wildfire, various federal agencies coordinate with nonfederal agencies to assess the potential for debris flow hazards on the steep slopes of a burned landscape. The U.S. Geological Survey may provide post-fire debris flow assessments to federal and nonfederal agencies responding to a wildfire.

This report summarizes the coordination, data, and modeling used to develop post-wildfire debris flow hazard assessments and warnings. It also briefly discusses issues for Congress related to these efforts.