The linkages between wildfire and water are
numerous, and many of them are relatively well
researched, such as the effects of wildfire on
riparian areas. However, in recent years, a newer
issue has emerged: the relationship between
wildfire and water supply. Some aspects of this
topic are relatively well understood, such as
how higher elevation wildfires might impact
water storage reservoirs through siltation. Other
aspects are less understood, such as how
wildfires lead to drinking water contamination.
This document contains a high-level summary of
initial research and policy gaps, as well as key
questions to be answered, identified by UC ANR
and UCLA and refined by workshop participants.
The organization of and dividing lines between
topics as presented here are necessarily
overlapping. This report serves as an agenda for
conversation, but does not contain final answers.