The focus in wildfires tends to fall upon the damage: the trees lost, the homes destroyed.

But ecologists often remind us that fire is part of the forest ecosystem, ultimately necessary for a forest to remain healthy.

And fires also save water, if that makes any sense. Think about it: dead trees do not pull water out of the ground and lose it through evaporation. Which adds up to a lot of water saved in the last three decades.

National Park Service hydrologist Jim Roche studies the phenomenon. He shares details of his studies with us.

