Do wildfires cause erosion?
The most immediate consequence of fire is the potential for soil erosion. Intense heat from fire can make the soil repel water, a condition called hydrophobicity. Landowners should take quick action to minimize erosion once it’s safe to return to the property: fell damaged trees to slow water runoff after rainfall; create check dams in drainages using straw bales; spread straw to protect the soil and reseeding efforts; and use water bars to reduce soil erosion on roads. read more Soil Erosion Control after Wildfire by R. Moench, J.
