by Matteo Cavallito<\/p>\n
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When the last fires are extinct and wildfires<\/strong> are filing their bill the viewers’ attention is typically focused on the ghostly landscapes and immediate consequences. But the true extent of the damage, in these cases, emerges forcefully only after a long time according to the New York Times, with a report<\/a> from Colorado<\/strong>, one of the states most affected<\/a> by the disaster. “About two-thirds of drinking water in the United States originates in forests,” the newspaper writes. “And when wildfires affect watersheds, cities can face a different kind of impact, long after the flames are out”.<\/p>\n The eyes of the state’s residents are now on the Front Range<\/strong>, the mountain peak most affected by the fires. They fear that rainfall could drag with it what the fires have created – including sediment, dissolved nutrients, debris and heavy metals – and contaminate<\/strong> waterways. The assumption is that the influx of this material could damage water tanks<\/strong>, thus forcing urban communities to look for alternative sources of supply.<\/p>\n Map of forest fires and smoke cover across North America.<\/p>\n Via FireSmoke Canada, which also has a smoke forecast for the next couple of days here: https:\/\/t.co\/IH7OOFeps4<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0QhZUZ83SN<\/a><\/p>\n — Robson Fletcher (@CBCFletch) July 19, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n