Your Central Valley
California state lawmakers are looking into how intense wildfires are damaging the state's natural resources.
"What some people don't realize is, our watersheds, which are in the forest that have been impacted by fire, are the major source of water resources for California," says Laura Friedman (D-Glendale).
State officials say the scope of the devastation of recent wildfires stretches beyond homes and businesses, and that future fires like them could threaten watersheds with erosion and debris flows.
Calfire director, Thom Porter testified in front of lawmakers at a hearing on the topic Wednesday.
He says, "The state has responded to the large fires with watershed emergency response teams, it's Calfire and the California Geological Survey, to determine what those critical areas are that could see damage or a high flow of water."
Moving forward, these teams need to do this type of work state-wide before fire season, Porter says.