He explains that the rapid decrease of vegetation and debris on the ground can have lasting effects on the water runoff, which feeds the supply downstream.

Short-term consequences include physical damage to the water grid infrastructure and sediment and debris in the water. Over the long-term, wildfires can damage the watershed for the region. The removal of trees causes snow to melt faster, creating rapid runoff to reservoirs downstream. As this runoff overwhelms the reservoirs, they are forced to release sooner, which can have an effect on water delivery throughout the course of the year – potentially leading to water shortages during summer months when it is needed most.