California Department of Water Resources Says Wildfires Lead to Increased Flood Risks: Be Prepared, Stay Alert

California has experienced record-breaking wildfires in 2020 with more than 4 million acres burned, increasing the risk of flash flooding along with mud and debris flows to communities and homes downslope of burn areas. The impacts caused by wildfires can be drastic when it comes to flood risk. In normal conditions, trees, shrubs, grass, and other protective groundcover allow rainfall to infiltrate into the soil.