Back to Blogging - Wildfires and how they affect soil properties

 


Hey There!  Yes, it's been awhile and it's time to get back into the swing of things!

Wildfires - We have seen a lot of wildfires this past summer; Turner Gulch, Lee Fire, South Rim Fire, Etc.... and those are just the one's that made the news in our state.  Nationally, there were fires going on in just about every state in the west this past summer. 

But what happens after a fire goes through the land?  Does everything just start over and regrow?  Actually, it's not that simple.  Below are recent photos from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison 2025 South Rim Fire burn scar.

South Rim Fire Burn Scar

When a Wildfire goes through the area, the heat created at the base of the burn can be so intense, it causes the soil to develop Hydrophobic Properties.  Watch this video link to learn more.


When the temperature rises at the base of the burn, it also kills all the organics that help keep that soil healthy.  The leaves, roots, grasses, are all turned to ash.  This also includes those living organisms living in the top layer of the soil like bacteria, fungi, earthworms, protozoa or other living things that all contribute to soil health.  But when these living things are killed off, it makes the soil un-ideal for re-growing native grasses, bushes, and trees to restore the landscape.  

Heat of the Burn

Another issue with burn scars is the potential for flooding or landsides when large amounts of rainfall drop, but the soil is unable to absorb the water.  We call this "flash flooding" and that's when things get scary!  This is Drone footage of a Flash Flood that happened after the Grizzly Creek fire in Glenwood Canyon, CO along Interstate I-70 in 2021. 



Pretty crazy! 

My friend Katie is a Small Acreage Agent with CSU Extension and joined me to talk with 4th graders about why the flooding happens, and we showed them an in person demo of rainfall on soils. 

Katie showing the difference in runoff of rain on burnt soil (Left) vs unburnt soil (right).  See a difference in the water quality?

Less water was obtained by the burnt soil (back) than by the unburnt soil (front). More dirty runoff off the burnt soil sample (Dirty Water)

Overall the soil sample that was unburnt and still had the organic matter working in its favor took in much more water than the burnt sample - showing that the burnt soil was more damaged and in need of support. 

We discussed several ways soil could be "restored" after a burn. 

  • Hydroseeding in ideal zones needing advance treatment recovery
  • Experiments with adding organics back to the soils via compost introduction
  • Going out and seeding native plants AND planting native trees in the burn zones
  • Time
Overall, wildfires don't just take a toll above the soil, they hurt below too.  Repairs take time and dedication.  May we all do are part to prevent OR repair the damage a wildfire can do to our environment. 



I am a STEM/k12 Educator with Colorado State University Extension. I love working with youth and encouraging them to participate in many forms of hand on education! Overall, our goal is to promote positive youth development and encourage youth to pursue higher education after high school.

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