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Hydrologists are important members of a successful Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER). These specialists support post-wildfire land management decisions by developing analytical tools that integrate remote sensing and environmental modeling.

Ideally, a burned area will recover naturally, but this is not always the case. Human-caused challenges like historic fire suppression and climate change have made natural recovery less likely in many burned areas, including the York Fire footprint. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team works with land managers to create post-fire restoration treatment plans and identifies sources to fund this work.

A successful Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) requires a team of diverse specialists. Some work in the field, while others work behind the scenes. Kenny and Emily were part of the behind-the-scenes team on the York Fire!

Meet Erin, a Rangeland Management Specialist with the Bureau of Land Management. She is supporting the York Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) by assessing rangeland infrastructure damage and vegetation impacts in the fire footprint.

Some impacts of wildfire on cultural resources are obvious, like the loss of historic structures that burn completely. Potential, unseen impacts can include long-term risks like flooding and destabilization.  

Flooding is a major concern after a wildfire, even in the dry Mojave Desert.

The response to the York Fire will not end when the incident reaches full containment. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) has been working with Mojave National Preserve and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staff to assess the impacts on natural resources, cultural resources, and infrastructure.