The manuscript is a solid and interesting contribution documenting post-fire debris flows in New Mexico (USA), where the research team is dedicating considerable efforts for understanding both predisposing and triggering factors that control the initiation of these processes, as reported in their recent papers and datasets. The current work presents a series of results deriving from both monitoring and modeling activities which are well depicted and supported by a robust bibliographic background. In particular, original measurements collected in the field make the research outcomes noteworthy and helpful for other scientists that are investigating the same hazard in the USA and worldwide. The overall quality of the manuscript is very good. I have just a few questions and suggestions reported in the attached pdf file that may contribute to improve the article before considering it for publication in NHESS.

In summary, the Authors carried out both monitoring and modeling activities but the related description is often mixed in a way to generate some confusion in the reader. This is evident in the description of objectives and methodologies. Minor corrections to the text and additional photographs could clarify some steps which are described too succinctly in the methodology section.  

The Authors provided a sufficient number of Figures of good quality. However, I suggest to improve the Figures 1 and 3 by adding some relevant contents as highlighted in the annotated pdf file. Further tables or charts could be added in the results section to better display characteristics of triggering rainstorms.

In the discussion section, I have noted that the Authors refer mostly to the USA-related literature. I suggest to consider also valuable studies performed in other continents, since several findings (e.g., concentration of PFDFs in the first months after fires) show relevant similarities with other settings. This may emphasize the article impact in the future. More comments about lower runoff rates in areas burned at moderate/high severity in the first months after the fire are welcome.

Kind regards

The authors did a great job illustrating the importance of ground cover over infiltration capacity in triggering PFDFs. I believe the study approach they applied will provide a template and foundation for other scientists in the field to emulate and build from, respectively.  I appreciate the concise, easily-digestible writing style they applied.  In addition, I thought the figures were well thought out and do a great job presenting the data. I provide minimal comments in the attached pdf for the authors to consider.