A progressive flow-routing model for rapid assessment of debris-flow inundation

Abstract Debris flows pose a significant hazard to communities in mountainous areas, and there is continued need for methods delineate zones associated with debris-flow inundation. In certain situations, such as scenarios following wildfire, where could be an abrupt increase the likelihood size of debris that necessitates rapid assessment, computational demands inundation models play role their utility. The inability efficiently determine downstream effects anticipated events remains critical gap our ability understand, mitigate, assess hazards. To better understand flows, we introduce computationally efficient, reduced-complexity model, which refer Progressive Debris-Flow routing model (ProDF). We calibrate ProDF against mapped from five watersheds near Montecito, CA, produced shortly after 2017 Thomas Fire. reproduced 70% deposits across 40 km 2 study area. While this focuses on series post-wildfire not limited simulating wildfire applied any scenario it possible estimate volume. However, given its reproduce Fire burn scar, modest run time simulation over area, results suggest may particularly promising assessment applications.