Floods and related sedimentation and erosion following wildfires can cause significant damage to property as evidenced by the multitude of photographs of Coloradan’s homes that have been damaged. None of that compares to the tragedy when a life is lost as a result of post-fire related hazards such as flooding or debris flows occurs. Even the disruption of life through the destruction of property can have cascading effects on the health and well-being of those that are affected.

Awareness is preparedness. Wildfire Ready Watersheds work to inform residents of existing risk in post-fire prone hazard areas before wildfires occur. By conveying risk landowners may opt to make land uses decisions to reduce their risk. For those where risk exists have a plan to get out of harms way can be the critical difference between life and death. Early-warning systems and post-fire hazard mitigation strategies aimed at reducing severity of hazards where life and property are at risk can be important ways by which a community can try to avoid impacts to life and property.