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The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBSNF) has re-convened a BAER team to re-assess National Forest System (NFS) lands impacted by the Bolt Creek, Boulder Lake, and Suiattle River Fires. A previous BAER team had completed an assessment on most of these fires, however, due to the unseasonably late fire season another assessment was determined to be needed to reassess changes in wildfire impacts from the previous assessment. This assessment will also include the Loch Katrine fire which was not previously assessed.

Information about the fires can be found online at: Bolt Creek Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wanws-bolt-creek-fire, Suiattle River, Boulder Lake and Loch Katrine Fires https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wamsf-loch-katrine-fire.

After a large wildfire, special actions may be necessary to provide for public and community safety and protect critical natural and cultural resources from post-fire events like soil erosion and flooding. BAER teams focus on emergency actions necessary to protect human life and safety, property, and natural and cultural resources, including affected watersheds. BAER assessments identify unacceptable risks on federal lands from post-fire threats and help land managers prepare burned areas for potential threats from rainstorms.

The Forest Service BAER team on the MBSNF consist of hydrologists, soil scientists, botanists, biologists, archaeologists, engineers, and geographic information system (GIS) specialists. The BAER program uses ground and aerial surveys, satellite imagery and computer models to evaluate conditions and recommend emergency treatments to protect values at risk from further damage. The first step in the BAER assessment process is to take pre-fire and post-fire satellite imagery and data to produce a soil burn severity map, which will provide baseline information on changed watershed conditions and potential watershed impacts from the fire.

The BAER team will coordinate and share information from their assessment with other federal agencies, as well as state agencies and local counties and municipalities who work with adjacent and downstream private homeowners, landowners, and businesses to prepare for potential post-fire flooding and debris flow impacts.

For additional information about the BAER assessment and to view the report once it is completed visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wamsf-mt-bakersnoqualmie-postfire-baer. The BAER team’s assessment report will include recommended emergency stabilization treatments and actions, if any, designed to decreased possible impacts to critical values from the burned areas during rainstorm events such as: life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

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/.