UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

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.