Supplementary Files
Keywords
wildfire
erosion
Flo-2D
San Gabriel
Jalisco
Mexico
How to Cite
Citas en Dimensions Service
Abstract
Debris flows are highly destructive geomorphic processes that occur when intense rainfall falls on areas recently affected by wildfires. The loss of vegetation cover and changes in soil properties reduce infiltration, increase surface runoff, and mobilize large volumes of sediment. These flows, driven by gravity, can transport coarse materials such as logs and boulders downslope, causing significant damage to infrastructure and posing serious risks to human life. A critical event happened on June 2, 2019, in the municipality of San Gabriel, Jalisco, when heavy rainfall over a watershed recently impacted by wildfires (in May of the same year) triggered debris flows over 6 meters deep. These flows traveled down the Salsipuedes river channel, leading it to overflow and directly impact the urban center. The event caused five fatalities, displaced many residents, and resulted in extensive material damage. To understand the factors that led to this post-fire debris flow, an integrated assessment of the Salsipuedes river watershed was performed. This included a morphological analysis, a spatiotemporal study of land use changes from 2014 to 2022 across the 12 sub-watersheds feeding the river, and a precise calculation of the areas affected by the May 2019 wildfires. Furthermore, historical precipitation data (1946-1991) from the San Gabriel meteorological station was analyzed to establish rainfall thresholds corresponding to return periods of 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, as well as to evaluate their relationship with debris flow initiation. Using this information, variability in soil erodibility over space and time was determined, and rainfall-runoff simulations were conducted for each sub-watershed under three critical rainfall scenarios: (1) 100 mm with a 5-year return period, (2) 150 mm with a 20-year return period, and (3) 90 mm accumulated in a single day with a 20-year return period. The resulting discharge values were then applied in debris flow models featuring different rheological approaches, enabling the creation of hazard maps that highlight areas potentially at risk of debris flow inundation. The results include a debris flow hazard map under various rainfall scenarios, offering essential insights for risk mitigation efforts. These findings support informed decision-making aimed at reducing the vulnerability of San Gabriel's population to post-fire debris flow events, especially during the rainy season.
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