In the western U.S., a variety of factors are contributing to a sharp increase in the fires in deserts where such events were previously rare. To understand how it could affect surface soil contaminants from past-nuclear tests, DRI is examining post-fire water and wind erosion properties of soils at analog sites to where contaminated soils exist. Tests on soil particle suspension potential, rainfall-runoff, and water infiltration are being done periodically for several years after the fires to understand the duration of fire-induced changes. The results will be used to develop long-term stewardship strategies should contaminated soil sites burn over in the future.

	Stephen Zitzer and David Shafer measure plant cover and diversity in an unburned, control area next to the burn. Similar vegetation transects in the burn are being used to measure vegetation recovery after the fire.
	Measuring potential aeolian particulate emissions after the Jacob Fire using the Portable In Situ Wind Erosion Lab (PI-SWERL), developed at DRI. The PI-SWERL produces a wind shear across the soil surface and the dust concentration at various wind speeds can be measured in the PI-SWERL chamber in the field. Samples of the entrained material can be collected as well.