Incident Publication

Backbone Post-Fire BAER Field Survey Assessments

The first photo shows Fossil Creek that was taken by BAER Hydrologist Kelly during her on-the-ground burned area survey looking downstream west of the Homestead parking area. Kelly, along with BAER engineers evaluate the Fossil Creek Road for potential threats to the road from flash flooding, debris flows impacting drainage crossings and its overall infrastructure due to increased erosion, sedimentation, and flows.  Roads and trails are BAER critical values that need to be assessed for threats. BAER teams propose emergency stabilization treatments and actions to minimize those threats.

The next two photos are aerial views of Fossil Creek – one below the recreation area within the burned area and near the confluence with the Verde River, and the other photo taken near the top of the burned area looking downstream. The Backbone Fire burned consistently across the uplands, but the burn appears to be patchier creating a mosaic burn in the riparian area. BAER specialists assess the burned area for critical values that have the potential for risks from increased runoff and debris flows.

The last photo shows BAER Soil Scientist Rory checking soil burn severity field verification with two BAER trainees (Hydrologist Kyle and Soil Scientist Austin are watching and learning). They are testing to determine whether the soil is hydrophobic – aka repels water. This is important because the amount of hydrophobicity is an important component to determining how much increased runoff we can expect after a fire.

Backbone Post-Fire BAER—Preparing for Rain Events

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires cause damage that requires special efforts to prevent problems afterwards. 

Thunderstorms and summer monsoon rain events in the desert mountains can result in high runoff and flooding. 

Wildfire increases the potential for flooding, post-fire soil erosion and debris flows that could impact campgrounds, fishing areas, homes, structures, roads, and other infrastructure within, adjacent to, and downstream from the burned area. 

Post-fire, watershed conditions will naturally receive and transport water and sediment differently than during pre-fire conditions. 

The public and communities adjacent to and downstream from the wildfire areas should expect increased flooding and debris transport during less than average rain events.

The potential for increased runoff and debris flows are not just a one-year concern.

We need to recognize the threat potential of flash floods and debris flows may exist for the next 3-5 monsoon seasons, depending on the intensity of these storms.

For life and safety concerns, burned area closures may need to be implemented prior to forecast rain events until the burned area fully recovers.

Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads downstream from the burned areas of the Backbone wildfire.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team have been working with the Coconino and Tonto National Forests, to assess the condition of the watersheds on National Forest System (NFS) land that burned in the Backbone wildfire.

The BAER assessment team identifies potential emergency threats to critical BAER values, and recommends emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal land to reduce potential post-fire threats.

BAER critical values that may be considered at-risk on federal and tribal lands are:

§  Human life and safety.

§  Property such as buildings, water systems and infrastructure, utility systems, road and trail prisms.

§  Natural Resources such as water, soil productivity and hydrologic function, areas where invasive species or noxious weeds may impact native or naturalized communities and may include critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered species.

§  Cultural and Heritage Resources such as pre-historic and historic properties and sites.

For values and resources potentially impacted off federal and tribal lands, one of the most effective BAER strategies is its interagency coordination with local cooperators who assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners prepare for rain events. 

While multi-agency efforts are being taken to reduce the risks to life and safety downstream from the burned area, residents in the area should develop individual plans to protect themselves and their property. 

The Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work together and coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding

NRCS and local sponsors prepare damage survey reports for eligible sites on private lands adjacent to and downstream from affected areas.  NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop emergency measures to reduce the impacts from potential increased water and debris flows, and assist local sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program: (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

All EWP Program–Recovery projects begin with a local sponsor or legal subdivision of state or tribal government. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, conservation districts, or any federally-recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Interested public and private landowners can apply for EWP Program–Recovery assistance through one of those sponsors. For more information on NRCS Disaster Assistance Programs: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/az/programs/0bc695ea-339f-4030-aacd-90a1ce37fc8d/.

The following local county offices of emergency management promote preparedness through its emergency services programs to assist the public to prepare for, respond appropriately to, and quickly recover from natural emergencies that may impact county residents and visitors:

·            Gila County Emergency Management Division

·            Gila County Flood Control District

·            Gila County Emergency Alerts

·            Yavapai County Flood Control District

·            Yavapai County Emergency Management

·            Yavapai County Emergency Notification Alerts

·            Yavapai County Weather Alerts

Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from 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 FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods and www.floodsmart.gov/.

AFTER THE FIRE: Toolkits
 

The US Department of Agriculture After Fire Toolkit and Information site is where resource managers, landowners, or communities can find guidance for assessing and preventing potential damage due to post-fire flooding and related events. Browse this site to find information on the research, methods, and tools available for measuring and reducing risks associated with post-fire flooding, debris flows and sedimentation:

https://postfiresw.info/

Another AFTER THE FIRE Toolkit has been designed to allow community coalitions, local wildfire coordinating groups, fire districts and other wildfire organizations to respond to post-fire community needs quickly, accurately, and comprehensively.

https://afterthefirewa.org/2014/07/11/after-the-fire-toolkit-now-available/

Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazards

The Backbone BAER Assessment Team coordinated early with US Geological Survey (USGS) staff during its evaluation of the burned areas to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds and debris flow predicted response during damaging storm events.
 

From the USGS website found at https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/: “Wildfire can significantly alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. The USGS conducts post-fire debris-flow hazard assessments for select fires in the Western U.S.  We use geospatial data related to basin morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics to estimate the probability and volume of debris flows that may occur in response to a design storm.”
 

USGS used the BAER team’s soil burn severity analysis of the post-fire burned area for the Backbone wildfire to produce mapped debris flow hazard assessment predictions.  The USGS Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazard Assessment Map displays estimates of post-fire debris-flow probability, volume, and combined hazard for the areas burned by the Backbone fire.  The interactive map on the USGS website shows the potential and size of debris flows that may occur from about a 1/4 inch of rainfall over a 15-minute period.  Results from more intense rain events, ranging from about 1/2 inch per hour to 2 inches per hour, are also available from the USGS website.  The online interactive map is posted at: https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/detail.php?objectid=351.
 

Much of the burn area was estimated to have a lower level of debris-flow hazard in response to relatively common rainstorms. However, several smaller, steep, more severely burned watersheds in the central portion of the burn area as well as large parts of the Boulder Creek and Sally May watersheds were predicted to have moderate to high debris-flow hazard even from relatively common rainstorms. While predicted debris flow volumes are expected to be relatively small throughout most of the burn area for common events, a larger, higher-intensity rainstorm could trigger larger and more damaging debris flows.
 

USGS Fact Sheet 176-97, entitled “Debris Flow Hazards in the United States” contains information used to interpret the debris flow map and analysis that was incorporated into the BAER assessment team’s anticipated soil erosion and hydrologic response findings.  According to the USGS, “Analysis of data collected from studies of debris flows following wildfires can answer many of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments— what and why, where, when, how big, and how often?”  This information is extremely important to assist the public with increasing their safety awareness of the areas where there may be a higher increase in flooding, sediment and soil erosion, and a high probability of debris flows –- all of which are potential risks to human life, safety, and property.
 

BACKBONE POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT COMPLETED

The Forest Service Coconino and Tonto National Forests (USFS) completed its post-fire assessment for emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by the Backbone Fire.  The emergency treatments and activities are designed to decreased possible impacts to critical values from the burned area such as: life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.  NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF document called “Backbone Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Summary”.
 

Rock Island Grade is closed from SR28 to Moses Stool.

Batterman Road is closed. 

Situation: The Batterman Fire started on July 4, 2021 at approximately 12:15 PM, spreading quickly in grass and brush.

Numerous firefighters have been working diligently to control the fire, but suppression actions have been hampered by very active fire behavior caused by high temperatures and shifting winds.   

Two helicopters and airtankers were utilized in areas inaccessible by engines. As the wind shifted in the afternoon, engines responded to the area of Rock Island Grade Road to protect residences in the area.  At this time, no structures have been destroyed, but evacuations remain in place.

SE Washington Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team (IMT) lead by Incident Commander Walter Escobar has assumed command of the incident as of last night. Firefighters have been working through the night to secure the perimeter near Rock Island Road, as well as continuing structure protection.

Today, more resources from out of area are expected to arrive to assist in suppression efforts. Structure protection, as well as public and firefighter safety, remain top priorities.  

Weather: Sunny with temperatures reaching 96 degrees.  Winds NW 5-10 miles per hour, switching to the SE in the afternoon.
 

Closures: Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade from SR 28 to Moses Stool. 
 
Evacuations:  Level 3 Evacuations Rock Island Grade Road, Level 1 Evacuations Palisades. 

Summary: Today, fire resources have been utilizing dozers and crews to construct containment lines. Air resources, including two helicopters and three large air tankers, have also been at work to combat the fire and halt its spread. Firefighters conducted a burnout operation to assist in holding the fire’s eastern perimeter at Rock Island Grade, and the fire has remained on the west side of the Grade. The fire has been most active in the Rock Island Creek Drainage and Beaver Creek Drainage.
Weather: This late afternoon, winds are blowing from the northwest at 11-14 miles per hour with gusts of 24 miles per hour. 
Smoke: Winds from the northwest have blown smoke in the direction of Palisades. For information on air quality visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Evacuations: Rock Island Grade: Level 3 evacuation
The North Side of Batterman Road: Level 3 evacuation
Palisades: Level 1 evacuation
Road Closures: Batterman Road
Rock Island Grade

The fire is located near Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade in Douglas County Fire District 2, Washington. Type 2 Northwest Incident Management Team 12 assumed command of the Batterman Road Fire at 6:00 AM, relieving Type 3 SE Washington Incident Management Team 1. Team 12 is managing the fire response in cooperation with Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, WA DNR, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2. Douglas County Fire District 1 and 2 personnel and fire equipment have been working very hard to protect private property and homes. They have done an excellent job and are greatly appreciated for all their efforts. Last night, firefighters continued to focus on the most active portions of the fire in the Rock Island Creek Drainage. Weather today is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures nearing 100° and 12-16% relative humidity. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast for late tonight and Wednesday.

Operations Today: Firefighters will continue holding existing containment lines and establishing lines east of Batterman Road, west of Rock Island Grade and south of Beaver Creek. Efforts are focused on protecting structures, sensitive natural resources and minimizing impacts to grazing lands and private property. They remain especially engaged in the areas with the most fire activity in Rock Island Creek drainage and Beaver Creek drainage. Firefighter and public safety remain top priorities. Initial Attack air resources are available, as needed.

Evacuations and Road Closures: Road closures are in place for Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade. Rock Island Grade and the north side of Batterman Road remain at a Level 3 and Palisades Road remains at a Level 1. Today, Level 2 evacuations have been implemented for Road S Southwest. For evacuations information, refer to Facebook.com/DouglasCountySheriffsOfficeWA or Twitter.com/docosheriffwa. Air quality information is available at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

The Northwest Incident Management Team 12 hosted a virtual community meeting on July 7 at 8PM PST for the Batterman Road fire.  The meeting was recorded and can also be viewed on FaceBook on the official Central Washington Fire Information page.