Watershed Mitigation, Coordination, and Outreach Unit
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Watershed Mitigation, Coordination, and Outreach Unit provides statewide coordination and technical support to help reduce risks associated with post-fire watershed hazards. The Unit supports local, tribal, state, and federal partners by assessing hazards, identifying values at risk, and coordinating actions to protect life, property, water quality, and critical infrastructure following wildfire and severe weather events.
The Watershed Unit supports operations during activations of the State Operations Center (SOC), Joint Field Offices (JFOs), and during periods when no formal activation is in place. The Unit serves as a coordination and integration function, bringing together technical assessments, field observations, and partner agency capabilities to support informed decision-making and timely implementation of emergency protective measures.
Through interagency coordination, data analysis, and field-based assessments, the Watershed Unit helps operational areas prepare for and respond to debris flows and other post-fire geologic hazards. The Unit works closely with Cal OES Regional staff and Recovery partners to ensure watershed-related risks are identified early, communicated clearly, and addressed through appropriate response, recovery, and mitigation pathways.
Los Angeles Watershed Protection Mission
Mission, Vision, and Values
Vision
Cal OES is the leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We will realize our vision by building towards a safer more resilient California, leveraging effective partnerships, developing our workforce, enhancing our technology, and maintaining a culture of continuous improvement.​
Mission
We protect lives and property, build capabilities, and support our communities for a resilient California. We achieve our mission by serving the public through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all hazards and threats.
Values
Integrity: We maintain trust by fulfilling our mission with honesty, accountability, and transparency.
Service: We are dedicated to carrying out the duties and responsibilities entrusted to us and upholding a shared and principled commitment to our mission.
Respect: We recognize and value the diversity that exists within our organization, throughout our communities, and among our partners while demonstrating concern and compassion for all.
Resiliency: We promote safe and prepared communities with the strength to withstand or rebound from any event or emergency.
Watershed Protection Mission Operations Overview
Operations Overview: 2024 – YTD
Updated as of March 2026
Watershed Protection Missions
Linear Feet of Protection Installed
Programs and Initiatives
Watershed Protection Mission
The Watershed Protection Mission provides coordinated, large-scale emergency protective actions to reduce post-fire watershed risks to life, property, and critical infrastructure. Following wildfires, the Watershed Unit works with state, federal, and local partners to plan, implement, and manage watershed protection measures ahead of forecasted storm events. These missions focus on rapid action, operational coordination, and scalable deployment to address time-sensitive hazards. By integrating planning, logistics, and field operations, the Watershed Protection Mission helps communities reduce downstream impacts and stabilize burned landscapes during critical recovery periods.
Debris Flows
The Watershed Unit supports early identification, assessment, and communication of debris flow and flooding risks in post-fire environments. The Watershed Unit coordinates technical information, hazard assessments, and interagency input to help decision-makers understand evolving risks during storm events. This program emphasizes situational awareness, clear communication, and timely coordination to support protective actions and public safety decisions. By aligning science, operations, and emergency management, the Unit strengthens readiness and response to rapidly changing watershed hazards.
Remote Sensing
The Watershed Unit provides timely, data-driven insights to support watershed hazard assessment and operational decision-making. Using satellite imagery, aerial data, and geospatial analysis, the Watershed Unit evaluates burn severity, landscape change, and storm impacts across large and complex areas. This capability supports planning, situational awareness, and coordination before, during, and after disaster events. By integrating remote sensing products with field observations and partner expertise, the Unit enhances accuracy, speed, and effectiveness of watershed-related response and mitigation efforts.
Partners and Stakeholders
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- Implement emergency protective measures within Caltrans rights-of-way and operational areas.
- Provides emergency signage, traffic control, and reports implementation status to the Watershed Unit.
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
- Provides technical assistance related to water contamination, hazardous substance release, and environmental health considerations associated with wildfire impacts.
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
- Provides water quality assessment data and technical guidance to inform watershed protection actions and public health considerations
California Conservation Corps (CCC)
- Provides field labor to implement emergency protective measures, including installation of straw wattles, sediment fencing, compost socks, and related controls to protect water quality.
California Geological Survey (CGS)
- Participates in Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) activities in coordination with CAL FIRE.
- Conducts field surveys, geospatial analysis, and geohazard evaluations.
- Collaborates with CAL FIRE, the National Weather Service (NWS), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to refine debris-flow precipitation thresholds for burn scar areas.
Department of Water Resources (DWR)
- Provides Watershed Protection Specialists to conduct field assessments of burned areas and identify sites requiring emergency protective measures to protect water resources.
- Supplies flood-fight containers and associated materials (e.g., sandbags) to support watershed protection and flood response operations.
Federal:
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Provides technical expertise including post-fire debris-flow hazard assessments, streamflow and water quality monitoring, fire science, ash chemistry, landslide risk analysis, and geospatial support.
- Collaborates with CAL FIRE, CGS, and the National Weather Service (NWS) to develop and refine debris-flow precipitation thresholds for burn scar areas.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Deploys a FEMA Watershed Unit liaison to support state-federal coordination and information sharing.
- Assists in identifying downstream risks identified in BAER reports that may affect non-federal stakeholders and supports outreach and recovery coordination.
National Weather Service (NWS)
- Provides weather forecasts, burn scar briefings, and decision-support services related to storm systems that may meet or exceed debris-flow precipitation thresholds.
- Collaborates with CAL FIRE, CGS, and USGS on threshold development and refinement.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
- Leads or participates in BAER teams on USFS-managed lands.
- Conducts hazard tree assessments and abatement activities to address post-fire tree failure risks to life and property.
- Implement post-fire mitigation measures to protect natural and cultural resources.
Resources and Additional Information
- Debris Flow Flyer (Document under final review)
- Flood After Fire (FEMA Flood After Fire Fact Sheet)
Staff Directory
