Several governors of Western states on Tuesday endorsed formalizing a partnership to help each other deal with the aftermath of increasingly devastating wildfires, citing the long-term effects of post-fire flooding and also uncertainty about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s future. Governors from New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado attended a panel discussion on the topic of post-fire flooding at the Western Governors’ Association meeting in Santa Fe. … The governors described the phenomenon as increasingly urgent due to wildfires burning hotter and larger across the West. High-severity wildfires can change soil composition, converting even modest rainstorms that fall on burn scars into potential floods or debris flows. … (Utah Gov. Spencer) Cox, who on Tuesday was named the new WGA chair, said he would spearhead an effort to create a regional partnership. 

Other FEMA news:

• NBC Palm Springs (Calif.): Palm Springs flood tunnel upgrades remove 500+ properties from FEMA high-risk zone​
• City News Service (Los Angeles): FEMA high flood risk designation being removed in this Coachella Valley community