Emergency assessment of post-fire debris-flow hazards for the 2013 Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, California

A high probability of significant debris-flow hazards exists within and downstream of the 2013 Rim Fire burn area in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest, California. Empirical models predict a 60-80% likelihood of debris flows in 28 out of 1,238 drainage basins following a 10-year recurrence interval rainstorm, with 901 basins potentially generating over 10,000 cubic meters of debris. These findings highlight the moderate risk to nearby populations, infrastructure, wildlife, and water resources, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding weather forecasts and adherence to evacuation orders.

Staley, D. M. (2013). Emergency assessment of post-fire debris-flow hazards for the 2013 Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, California. Open-File Report. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20131260