Regional patterns of post-wildfire streamflow response in the Western U.S.

A team of scientists published this review to highlight the effects of wildfire on hydrological processes. They specifically focus on regional differences in how streamflow responds in forests after a wildfire. They found that post-wildfire peak flows and annual water yields are generally higher in regions with a Mediterranean or semi-arid climate (Southern California and the Southwest) compared to the highlands (Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest). Through their research, they emphasize that understanding the effects of hydrological processes on post-wildfire dynamic hydraulic connectivity is necessary for risk assessment tools. This is particularly true at the hillslope and watershed scales, and the relationship between overlapping disturbances, including those other than wildfire.