Single Publication

FOREST SERVICE BAER TEAM BEGINS 

POST-FIRE ASSESSMENT OF HAPPY CAMP COMPLEX WILDFIRES

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been established by the Klamath National Forest (KNF) to begin a post-fire burned area emergency assessment of the wildfires within the 2023 Happy Camp Complex. The BAER assessment team is coordinating with other federal, state, and county agencies, as well as local Tribes to assess potential post-fire impacts to these burned watersheds. Forest Service BAER team assessments typically take approximately two weeks to complete.

These rapid assessments evaluate the burned area to identify watersheds having increased potential for post-fire flooding, sediment flows and rockslides. The team focus is on potential emergency impacts to life and property on federal land.

BAER teams generally consist of scientists and specialists including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, biologists, archaeologists, and geographic information specialists. BAER teams conduct surveys to collect field data within burned areas to analyze through mapping (GIS) and computer models. Findings are presented along with recommended emergency stabilization treatments in a BAER assessment report. 

The team utilizes satellite imagery and specialist data to analyze and produce a runoff map that shows the levels of hydrological potential flows during rain events. This is the first step in assessing potential watershed impacts from wildfires to any federal values that may be at risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows, and rockslides. The BAER team will produce a report that describes potential threats associated with the burned area’s post-fire conditions and often include recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions. BAER emergency response efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety, and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resource values such as the water quality of streams and wetlands on federal lands.

BAER reports are shared with interagency cooperators such as California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), NRCS, and Siskiyou County who work with downstream private home and landowners to prepare for potential post-fire flooding and debris flow impacts. Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land burned in wildfires may be eligible for flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Information about NFIP is available through FEMA at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, or www.floodsmart.gov/wildfires. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods at www.floodsmart.gov/.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events – be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: https://www.weather.gov/mfr/.