Research in the Aftermath of the Camp Fire Reveals the Threat of Wildfires on Water Quality

Announced on: Monday, Feb. 12, 2024

As wildfires wreak havoc, not only on human lives and infrastructure but also on connected ecosystems, a groundbreaking multi-year research initiative launched at Chico State in the aftermath of the Camp Fire examined the presence of contaminants, including metals, in nearby watersheds.

Led by Chico State faculty and joined by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the research, recently published in the prestigious journal of Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, sheds light on the alarming impact of wildfires on stormwater runoff.