Turbidity and fecal indicator bacteria in recreational marine waters increase following the 2018 Woolsey Fire

Abstract

Wildfires increase runoff and sediment yields that impact downstream ecosystems. While the effects of wildfire on stream water quality are well documented, oceanic responses to wildfire remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigated oceanic responses to the 2018 Woolsey Fire using satellite remote sensing and in situ data analyses. We examined 2016–2020 turbidity plume (n = 192) and 2008–2020 fecal indicator bacteria (FIB, n = 15,015) measurements at variable proximity to the Woolsey Fire. Shifts in coastal water quality were more pronounced in the “inside” region, which drained the burn area. The inside region experienced 2018–2019 plume surface area monthly means that were 10 and 9 times greater than 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 monthly means, respectively. Further, linear regressions showed that 2018–2019 three-day precipitation totals produced plumes of greater surface area. We also noted statistically significant increases in the inside region in 2018–2019 total coliform and Enterococcus monthly means that were 9 and 53 times greater than 2008–2018 monthly means, respectively. These results indicate that sediment and microbial inputs to coastal ecosystems can increase substantially post-wildfire at levels relevant to public and environmental health, and underscore the benefit of considering remote sensing and in situ measurements for water quality monitoring.