Minimizing Wildfire Effects on Water Quality
Introduction
After a wildfire, there are simple, commonly accepted steps to take in minimizing the wildfire's effects on water quality. Installing floating debris boom (also known as debris barriers) is an important step in reducing the impact of a forest fire on the downstream water systems.
floating booms, made in the USA by Fire Suppression Tank, are effective tools in capturing floating contaminants and debris, and keeping them within a designated containment area. Floating debris barriers can also be configured to block debris from entering protected areas. Our Debris Barriers are rugged, affordable, and customized to your needs. See our full line of Floating Boom options! Debris Boom Line Card PDF
Do you have questions about the impact of forest fire? Contact Fire Suppression Tank at 1-863-270-8118 for answers!
Floating Debris Boom: How to Choose the Right Model
Floating booms, for sale by Fire Suppression Tank, are available in a wide variety of styles, allowing you to select the model that will best fit your environment and requirements. We can help to address your emergency response situation by providing innovative and site-specific solutions, and affordable custom options as needed. Our representatives can also help with any questions. While our standard floating debris boom is our most common option for wildfire debris containment, we offer additional models depending on the situation.
Types of Debris Boom
Standard Floating Debris Boom: Made from marine grade UV resistant PVC fabric, these floating booms are designed for durability and high strength debris containment. This debris barrier is available in calm water, moving water, and open water models.
Permanent Floating Debris Boom: This heavy-duty floating barrier is designed for long-term control of floating debris, and presents significant savings due to its long field-use life. They are constructed from robust fabric belting with high tensile strength, strong abrasion resistance, and treated to withstand UV exposure.
Floating Turbidity Curtain: When the water quality is affected beneath the surface, consider Turbidity Curtain (link to new page) for a solution that will address containment of both floating debris and suspended sediment particles.
What to Do After a Wildfire: Reducing the Effects on Water Quality
It may seem daunting at first, but once you know what to do after a wildfire to minimize the impact on your property or job site, you'll see that the easiest (and most effective) step is to address erosion control.
After a wildfire has run its course, the soil is left bare and charred with little to no support left for protection against the elements. Topsoil washes away easily, steep slopes become unstable, and the risk of flooding (and even mudslides) increases significantly. With each storm event, the unprotected soil washes into, disrupts, and pollutes the water systems.
By protecting the exposed soil with erosion control measures (like coir or straw logs and blankets, geotextile fabrics, etc.), you can make significant progress in minimizing the wildfire's effects on water quality and your property.
We also offer a wide selection of erosion control products that can help. For specific recommendations, see: What to Do After a Wildfire.
Do you have questions about floating debris boom? Contact Fire Suppression Tank at 1-863-270-8118 for answers!