FISH KILL RAISES URGENT QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANUP
Uploaded in the Dec. 13, 2025 issue.
By Beth Chasnoff
Ten days after the wildfire now known as the Pack Fire ripped down McGee Creek, dead fish were all that was left in the water. Scientists surveyed the creek’s fish population and found dozens of dead fish in the stream with no live fish spotted. Adult brown trout in their spawning season were wiped out throughout the stream.
Fish carcasses of all ages and sizes were observed, including adult trout, as well as young-of-the-year, one-year-olds, two-year-olds, and older cohorts. Survey results indicate the creek experienced a total fish kill.
Raging fires can heat creeks enough to kill fish outright. This fire’s intense heat—strong enough to blast home windows and melt metal containers—may have pushed creek temperatures beyond what fish could survive. If fish survived the fire itself, the aftermath could have been deadly.
Rain that fell after the blaze—though a welcome relief for firefighters—likely flushed heavy ash, debris, and chemical compounds into the creek. Sediment and ash can choke fish gills and suffocate eggs and larvae in the streambed. Toxic compounds from the burned residences, vegetation and materials likely leached into the water, creating conditions that ultimately led to a complete fish die-off.
Just like the human community, the fishery is expected to rebuild. The creek’s connection to Crowley Lake provides a pathway for downstream fish to return upstream, promoting the recovery of the fishery as conditions improve.
However, a major concern is the spring snowmelt, which would carry pollutants from the wildfire and burnt homes along the creek into the water. This would worsen the already dire conditions in the creek, making it even less suitable for fish to survive. The runoff could also harm fish populations and impact drinking water in Crowley Lake.
This raises important questions: What steps can be taken to restore the creek, and who will take responsibility for cleaning up the riparian area?
The loss of creekside vegetation from the fire will accelerate erosion and weaken banks, but it can be mitigated by planting native species, installing fish-friendly rock or wood structures, and controlling runoff. Creek restoration will benefit the resident fish populations, as well as other wildlife, nearby communities and downstream users.
Removing household hazardous waste and toxic ash is critical to protect this important watershed, considering the creek’s upstream connection to Los Angeles’ drinking water. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power owns Crowley Lake and many adjacent lands and the Bureau of Reclamation and the Inyo National Forest manage other public lands in the area.
Beth Chasnoff, Ph.D. (bethchas@gmail.com) is a river scientist and certified fisheries professional in Lee Vining, Calif.
