Wildfire Rain Can Pose New Environmental Threats: Hazardous Materials and Mudslides in the Aftermath

As recent wildfires have ravaged large portions of the Los Angeles area, communities and environmental experts are now grappling with the secondary environmental impact of rainfall following the devastation.

The combination of heavy rainfall and scorched terrain has the potential to cause dangerous runoff, which can spread harmful chemicals and toxic substances, leaching them into nearby rivers, streams, and water sources. Wildfires destroyed vegetation and soil integrity and exposed hazardous materials that were once contained to the footprint of the fire, including heavy metals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, asbestos, and more. These constituents of concern can then become liberated and spread to previously unaffected areas.

“After a wildfire, the soil becomes incredibly porous and compromised, making it more susceptible to erosion. When rain comes, it doesn’t just wash away ash - it also carries hazardous materials into our waterways and communities,” said Derrick Denis, Senior Vice President, Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC). “The chemicals can have long-term effects on water quality, posing risks to drinking water supplies and aquatic ecosystems.”

Mudslides - often a byproduct of heavy rain on recently burned land - can further exacerbate the situation. With much of the vegetation gone and soil stability reduced, rainfall can quickly turn into dangerous mudslides, carrying debris and contaminated soil with it. Toxic runoff can suffocate fish, poison drinking water sources, and disrupt the local food chain, potentially affecting local agriculture.

CSC urges immediate attention and preventative action to address the risks posed by this post-fire contamination.

The science, safety, and engineering professionals at CSC possess extensive experience in combustion byproducts like wildfire smoke, structure fire residues, protein fire residues, etc. They can also help residents and businesses with lithium battery fire residues, soil testing & clean up and water quality testing. Air and water quality are concerns for people throughout So Cal.

For more information on wildfire safety, smoke impact, hazardous materials, or to schedule testing, call Clark Seif Clark, Inc (CSC) at 800-807-1118. Please visit www.csceng.com to learn about additional services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail