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BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPOSE TEAM ASSESSING FIRE SEVERITY ON THE BLUE 2 FIRE

Ruidoso, NM., June 7, 2024 — A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, led by Terry Hardy and Edgar Martinez, began making burned area surveys of the Blue 2 Fire yesterday. BAER team assessments are rapid evaluations of post-fire conditions of the burned landscape to determine the level of risk from potential flooding and debris flow to values on National Forest System lands. If unacceptable risks are found the team recommends appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures to reduce the risks to National Forest lands and values. BAER emergency stabilization efforts are focused on the protection of human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources.

BAER teams typically consist of scientists and specialists including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, wildlife and fisheries biologists, archaeologists, recreation and trails specialists, and geographic information specialists, from federal and state agencies. BAER teams conduct field surveys and use science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area. 

BAER teams analyze the data they collect during field surveys to produce a “Soil Burn Severity” map. This is the first step in assessing potential watershed impacts from wildfires to values that may be at-risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows and rockfall. BAER teams produce a report that includes a description of the assessment and findings for the burned area’s post-fire conditions along with recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions. Another key role of BAER Teams is the sharing of data and products with local cooperating agencies that may be affected by post fire flood events.   For more information, please see the attached link for the Blue 2 Fire BAER inciweb site at Nmlnf Blue 2 Fire Postfire Baer Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)