Variable wildfire impacts on the seasonal water temperatures of western US streams: A retrospective study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268452
• Publication Date: 2022-07-20T17:27:31Z
• Authors: Mussie T. Beyene; Scott G. Leibowitz; Marcia Snyder; Joseph L. Ebersole; Vance W. Almquist
• Keywords: Science; Q; R; Temperature; Water; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; Wildfires; 13. Climate action; Medicine; Animals; Seasons; Burns; Research Article; Retrospective Studies; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Recent increases in the burn area and severity of wildfires western US have raised concerns about impact on stream water temperature–a key determinant cold-water fish habitats. However, effect seasonal temperatures concern, including winter summer, are not fully understood. In this study, we assessed wildfire burns at Boulder Creek (Oregon), Elk Gibbon River (Wyoming) watersheds downstream summer for first three post-fire years. To obtain results independent choice analytical method, evaluated consequence each using different statistical approaches that utilize local temperature data. Our from indicated response to varied across seasons sites. Wildfire were associated with a median increase up 0.56°C (Standard Error; S.E. < 0.23°C) mean (MWT) 62 degree-day Celsius (DDC; 20.7 DDC) accumulated degree days (ADD) subsequent years studied Interestingly, these also corresponded decrease 0.49°C (S.E. 0.45°C) MWT 39 DDC 40.5 ADD same period effects diminished increasing site distance perimeter. analyses demonstrated methods watershed data could be applied evaluate fire temperatures.