After the CZU Lightning Complex fires tore through the counties of San Mateo and Santa Cruz in 2020, over 86,000 acres of land were left ravaged in its wake. Now, scientists from UC Santa Cruz are …
Cal Fire’s David Widaman trains his hose on flames as he and his Cal Fire crew defend a home in the Pineridge neighborhood in Bonny Doon as the CZU August Lightning Complex ravages the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2020. After the CZU Lightning Complex fires tore through the counties of San Mateo and Santa Cruz in 2020, over 86,000 acres of land were left ravaged in its wake. Now, scientists from UC Santa Cruz are looking into the aftermath of the wildfires in nearby watersheds.
The study measured around 40 different components present in the streams, though did not find changes that would be considered harmful to humans. Even so, Richardson says the results are telling: the water chemistry is altered by wildfires, and a diverse range of chemicals can enter varying streams. Each watershed displayed a different response that could have depended on multiple factors, such as rainfall characteristics and topography.
These impacts not only influence the composition of stream water but could affect aquatic wildlife as well. “There’s been a lot of attention on the effects of wildfire on terrestrial ecosystems a lot less work done on aquatic ecosystems, even though they certainly will experience responses to wildfire,” said UCSC professor Eric Palkovacs.
Workers in water treatment are also slowly adjusting to the aftermath of the fires. “The CZU Lightning fire here in Santa Cruz was a real wake-up call for us,” said Chris Coburn, deputy director and operations manager of the Santa Cruz Water Department. He oversees the treatment and distribution of drinking water, and frequently works with the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant.
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