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INCIWEB UPDATE

SOUTH FORK AND SALT BAER ASSESSMENTS

JULY 4, 2024

Happy Independence Day from Mescalero, New Mexico. 

USDA Forest Service (USFS) BAER specialists submitted an initial funding request for placement of permanent hazard signage on the Smokey Bear Ranger District, part of Lincoln National Forest within the burned area, as they continue to develop the final USFS BAER plan and report. 

BAER specialists from the Department of the Interior (DOI) are writing treatment specifications for burned lands on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, which covers most of both fire areas. 

Both USFS and DOI BAER reports are expected to be substantially completed by Saturday. Two final BAER plans will be submitted as separate funding requests to the headquarters for the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The leadership of each agency has discretion to determine which treatments will be funded and implemented. 

This morning, our DOI/USFS BAER team leads were invited to explain the role of BAER on the Southwest Incident Management Team 5’s Facebook page. Learn more by watching their explanation at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7KziT1eP3ihxbHDc/

Additional information on understanding the BAER program, process and other post-fire information is posted on the South Fork and 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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