Provo • Utah cities where wildfires forced thousands of people to evacuate in September are now beginning to confront the long-term damage, including possible mudslides and debris flow.
Utah County is asking the federal government for $20 million to help mitigate future problems, which could include damage to homes or the water supply, The Daily Herald newspaper in Provo reported.
Water flowing down areas where trees have been burned out by fire can cause problems for up to five years after the original blaze, according to experts.
It's impossible for cities to ask people to be on high alert for that long, so it's important to take action now, said Woodland Hills Mayor Wendy Pray.