…[A] study recently published by University of Nevada, Reno researchers finds that increasingly severe wildfires and drier conditions in places such as Lamoille Canyon are threatening water quality, fish and other aquatic life in streams. … The researchers found that with drier conditions, even less severe fires can cause lasting harm to water quality and aquatic habitat. Wildfire ash is rich in nitrogen, and when plant recovery is slow after a burn, they take up less nitrogen from the soil. So, the nitrogen ends up in the streams instead, degrading water quality and threatening fish and other species living in those habitats.

Other wildfire impact news:

• The Sopris Sun (Carbondale, Colo.): New studies indicate how Colorado ecosystems respond to wildfire
• The Guardian (London, U.K.): Democrats demand answers on cuts to firefighters during critical fire season
• Government Executive: Amid staffing cuts, Forest Service wants seasonal firefighters to work more hours this year
• Context: Blog: Could Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ fuel wildfires?