Officials warn of flash flooding concerns from wildfire burn scars

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — As wildfires along Colorado's Front Range get under control, officials are now warning residents about the risk of flash floods.

Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas could be highly susceptible to flash flooding and debris flow, especially in and near steep terrain.

"We're watching that very closely. In fact, a meteorologist is back at camp right now watching the radar. You can feel the raindrops hitting us now, and we have sensors in place," said Stewart Turner, fire behavior analyst with Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1.

Experts like Brandon Forbes with the U.S. Geological Survey say the reason for the risk is simple. When vegetation is burned, it makes room for water to move rapidly.

"It can cause rapid runoff, and once that runoff concentrates in our canyons, it can turn into a flash flood event really quickly," Forbes said.

Debris can be an issue as well.

"After a fire, soil can be lose and stuff can easily be mobilized. And so when these floods occur with this much energy, debris flows are likely to happen," Forbes said.