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INCIWEB UPDATE

SOUTH FORK AND SALT BAER ASSESSMENTS

JUNE 30, 2024

Today, both the South Fork and Salt Fires produced flooding and ash-laden flows. Thunderstorms delivered water and debris flows from Upper Canyon of Rio Ruidoso into the Village of Ruidoso, along with floodwaters from Bear Snow and Fence Canyons on the Mescalero Apache tribals lands. The public is strongly advised to follow all directions from local officials regarding evacuations and road closures. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team is urgently making progress with post-fire recovery plans and taking steps to adjust and implement advance protection measures wherever possible on tribal lands, in response to latest storm events. Assessment and design are ongoing and will utilize the flood event to fine tune designs that were already implemented by the Tribe to protect homes and bridges prior to the rainstorms. The BAER team identified locations for placement of permanent warning signs on roads and on forest lands where people congregate.

Today, BAER team soils and hydrology specialists conducted aerial reconnaissance over both fires to validate a Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map for the Salt Fire and assess post-fire flooding damage where storms occurred yesterday over the South Fork Fire. A BAER engineering specialist has been assessing road conditions on the national forest and will similarly assess tribal roads in both fire areas. The team completed most of its field work and is now focused on completing maps to project flooding and debris flows. Team members with various natural resources specialties (forestry, recreation, archeology, wildlife) are analyzing and prioritizing their respective critical values at risk to design effective emergency stabilization treatments on tribal and national forest lands.

Additional information on understanding the BAER program, process and other post-fire information is posted on the South Fork & Salt BAER InciWeb page found at: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response Information | InciWeb (wildfire.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: www.weather.gov/abq/.

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