2007-2008 Debris Flow site near Malibu

Satellite image of the canyon above Malibu, CA

Satellite image of the canyon above Malibu, CA, the target of this year's Debris Flow experiment

The "Canyon Fire," a 4565-acre wildfire that started October 21, 2007 in a canyon above Malibu, California, has been chosen as the 2007-2008 USGS Debris Flow Project region for intensive research measurements. NSSL's Shared Mobile Atmospheric and Teaching Radar (SMART-R) crew will participate for the third year by providing high-resolution rainfall measurements.

The USGS/NOAA Demonstration Flash-Flood and Debris Flow Early Warning System project is focused on helping forecasters improve flash flood and debris flow warnings in areas damaged by wildfires. These areas, known as burn scars, are particularly susceptible to flash floods and debris flows during rainstorms. Rainfall that is normally absorbed by vegetation can run off almost instantly, causing creeks and drainage areas to flood much earlier and with higher magnitude than normal.

The Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radar (SMART-R) is sited to provide high-resolution rainfall measurements during the rain season, December 1, 2007-February 28, 2008. In addition, the SMART-R has been upgraded with satellite internet capability to allow the uploading of 5-minute radar base scan imagery to a web site that can be viewed by forecasters at the Oxnard, CA, Weather Forecast Office. This feature will supplement local NWS radar coverage where the beam is blocked by mountainous terrain and will aid forecasters in warning decisions.