Wildfire's impact on water quality
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 - 08:50
in Earth & Climate
A wildfire's path of destruction is not limited to things that burn—water is at risk too. When fires jump from forests and grasslands to urban areas, they incinerate household and industrial items such as computers and cars, leaving behind a stew of chemicals and heavy metals. Rain can wash this into streams, rivers and municipal water treatment systems unprepared to deal with the toxic deluge. Heavy sediment loads from wildfire-related erosion can also clog water systems and strain treatment requirements.