FOREST SERVICE BAER SPECIALISTS ASSESS BLACK BURNED AREA

While many wildfires cause little damage to the land and pose few threats to natural resources and people downstream, some fires create situations that require special efforts to prevent additional damage after wildfires. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water runoff may increase and cause flooding, sediments may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs and put endangered species and community water supplies at-risk.

The Forest Service (USFS) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program works on USFS lands with the goal of keeping National Forest (NF) visitors and employees safe while recreating and working. BAER team assessments focus on emergency actions that are necessary to protect human life and safety, property, critical cultural resources, and critical natural resources such as soil productivity, hydrologic function, and water quality. Emergency actions are intended to minimize any further damage during rainstorm events.

BAER scientists and specialists are currently assessing multiple soil properties that changed during the Black Fire. These properties include soil cover, changes in soil aggregate strength, rooting mortality and water repellency. These properties affect soil recovery and water runoff.

In the 1st photo below, BAER Specialist Carolyn Koury (Gila NF Watershed & Air Program Manager) captures moderate soil burn severity data in the Turkey Run drainage area using Survey 123 data collection program in the Black Fire:

In this photo below, BAER Specialist Carolyn Koury is using Survey123 data collection program to document moderate soil burn severity characteristics in the Turkey Run drainage area of the Black Fire:

In this photo, BAER Specialist Dio Silva (Gila NF Natural Resource Specialist) is in the Turkey Run drainage digging a soil pit to assess for hydrophobicity in a high soil burn severity area of the Black Fire

The next photo shows BAER Specialist Dio Silva in the Turkey Run drainage assessing hydrophobicity in a moderate soil burn severity area of the Black Fire:

In this photo below, BAER Specialist Dio Silva in the Turkey Run drainage assessing hydrophobicity in a moderate soil burn severity area of the Black Fire:

And this last photo shows BAER Specialist Dio Silva in the Turkey Run drainage scraping litter away to assess for hydrophobicity in a moderate soil burn severity area of the Black Fire:

Región del suroeste - Nuevo México

Recursos post-incendios para propietarios

CONDICIONES DE LAS CUENCAS DESPUÉS DE UN INCENDIO: MENSAJES CLAVE

Aunque muchos incendios forestales causan daños mínimos a las tierras e implican pocas amenazas para los terrenos y las personas que viven en las orillas de los ríos, hay muchos otros que ocasionan daños que requieren medidas especiales para prevenir problemas en el futuro.

Las tormentas monzónicas de verano y las lluvias de invierno en las montañas del suroeste pueden provocar inundaciones y escurrimientos de agua.

Los incendios aumentan la probabilidad de inundaciones, erosión del suelo y flujo de escombros tras los incendios; y estos residuos pueden afectar campamentos, zonas de pesca, casas, estructuras, caminos y otras infraestructuras en las zonas quemadas cercanas a ríos o en las orillas de los mismos.

Tras un incendio, la manera en que las cuencas reciben y transportan agua y sedimentos de manera natural será diferente a la manera en la que lo hacía antes del incendio.

Las personas y comunidades de las zonas afectadas cercanas y a orillas de ríos deben esperar un aumento de inundaciones y flujo de escombros, incluso cuando la cantidad de lluvia sea inferior al promedio.

LAS PREOCUPACIONES DE SEGURIDAD NO TERMINAN UNA VEZ QUE SE EXTINGUE EL FUEGO

La posibilidad de que aumenten las escorrentías y el flujo de escombros no es una preocupación a corto plazo.

Sabemos que la amenaza de posibles inundaciones repentinas y flujo de escombros puede existir durante varios años, dependiendo de la intensidad de las tormentas.

Es por esto que, para proteger la seguridad de personas y estructuras cuando se pronostican lluvias, a veces se cierran los terrenos públicos con áreas quemadas hasta que la zona se recupere por completo.

Los residentes y visitantes deben permanecer alerta a los pronósticos meteorológicos y planificar con antelación al momento de realizar viajes por carretera en zonas quemadas que estén cerca o en las orillas de los ríos.

RESPUESTA PARA EVALUAR LAS CUENCAS QUEMADAS

Los equipos de Respuesta de Emergencia en Áreas Quemadas (BAER, en inglés) del Servicio Forestal trabajan con todos los bosques nacionales para evaluar las condiciones de las cuencas en los terrenos del Sistema de Bosques Nacionales (NFS, en inglés) que resultaron quemados por incendios forestales.

Los equipos de evaluación BAER asocian las posibles amenazas de emergencia con los criterios esenciales del BAER que se pueden considerar "en riesgo" en los terrenos federales, como:

§  Vida y seguridad humana.

§  Propiedades del NFS, como edificios, sistemas e infraestructuras de agua, servicios públicos, carreteras y senderos.

§  Recursos naturales esenciales como el agua, productividad del suelo y función hidrológica, zonas donde las especies invasivas o maleza nociva pueden afectar comunidades nativas o establecidas, y puede incluir hábitat esencial o hábitat ocupado idóneo para especies amenazadas o en peligro que aparezcan en listas federales.

§  Recursos culturales y patrimoniales esenciales, como propiedades y lugares prehistóricos e históricos.

Los equipos de evaluación BAER recomiendan que se implementen tratamientos y medidas de emergencia para estabilizar el suelo en terrenos federales, para reducir los posibles riesgos que traen consigo los incendios.

AYUDA PARA PROPIETARIOS DE TERRENOS Y CASAS EN LAS ZONAS QUEMADAS CERCANAS Y A ORILLAS DEL RÍO

Una de las estrategias más efectivas del BAER para proteger los bienes y recursos afectados fuera de los terrenos federales es la coordinación interinstitucional con colaboradores locales que ayudan a que negocios, hogares y propietarios afectados estén preparados para los días de lluvia. 

No obstante, a pesar de que se están tomando medidas entre varias agencias para reducir los riesgos para la vida y seguridad en las zonas quemadas cercanas y a orillas de los ríos, muchos residentes deben elaborar planes individuales para protegerse a sí mismos y a sus propiedades. 

El Servicio Forestal y el Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS, en inglés) del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA, en inglés) trabajan y coordinan conjuntamente con otras agencias federales, estatales, locales; y con otros condados, para ayudar a los propietarios de terrenos a prepararse para el aumento de escorrentías y el impacto de las posibles inundaciones.

El NRCS junto con patrocinadores locales preparan formularios de reporte de daños para lugares elegibles en terrenos privados de zonas afectadas cercanas y a orillas de ríos.  El NRCS utiliza estos reportes, además del reporte de evaluación del equipo BAER del Servicio Forestal, para desarrollar medidas de emergencia que reduzcan el impacto del posible aumento del nivel del agua y el flujo de escombros, y para ayudar a los patrocinadores locales a que implementen las medidas de emergencia recomendadas a través del Programa de Emergencia de Protección de Cuencas (EWP, en inglés): (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

Todos los proyectos de recuperación del programa EWP comienzan con un patrocinador local o una subdivisión legal del gobierno estatal o tribal. Entre los patrocinadores elegibles se encuentran ciudades, condados, ayuntamientos, pueblos, distritos de conservación, o cualquier tribu nativa u organización tribal reconocida a nivel federal. El público y los propietarios de terrenos que estén interesados pueden solicitar ayuda del programa EWP a través de uno de los patrocinadores antes mencionados. Para tener más información sobre los programas de ayuda del NRCS ante desastres: Programa de emergencia de protección de cuencas | NRCS de Nuevo México (usda.gov).

Los siguientes enlaces ofrecen información y referencias para encontrar oficinas de gestión de emergencias a nivel estatal y de condado que promueven la preparación por medio de sus programas de servicios de emergencia con la finalidad de ayudar al público a prepararse, responder de manera adecuada y recuperarse rápidamente de desastres naturales que puedan afectar a los residentes y visitantes del condado:

After Fire: Herramientas para la zona del suroeste (postfiresw.info)

After Wildfire: Guía para las comunidades de Nuevo México

Información sobre incendios en Nuevo México: After a Wildfire

Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y Gestión de Emergencias - Bienvenidos a NewMexico.gov (nm.gov)

Situación actual en las carreteras de Nuevo México

Condados de NM: Programa de reducción de riesgos de incendios forestales

Oficina de los servicios de emergencia del condado de Nuevo México

Condados de Nuevo México, lista del condado de NM: - USA (officialusa.com)

Los hogares o negocios que puedan resultar afectados por una inundación proveniente de terrenos federales tras un incendio forestal pueden calificar para ser cubiertos por el Programa Nacional de Seguros contra Inundaciones (NFIP, en inglés).  La información sobre el NFIP está disponible a través de la FEMA en www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, o FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk. Podrá encontrar más información sobre preparación contra inundaciones en www.ready.gov/floods y www.floodsmart.gov/.

ENLACES A RECURSOS Y PÁGINAS ADICIONALES

Ayuda de emergencia para la recuperación y protección de cuencas del NRCS

USDA: Ayuda de recuperación ante incendios

FEMA: Programa de seguro contra inundaciones

FEMA: Los incendios forestales aumentan el riesgo de inundación

FEMA: Inundación tras un incendio: Hoja de datos

Recuperarse tras un incendio forestal: Evaluación de daños

Extensión de la Universidad Estatal de Colorado (CSU) Plantilla de guía después de desastres - Gestión de emergencias (colostate.edu)

Extensión de la CSU - Condado Boulder -Guía después de desastres V4.pdf (colostate.edu)

Preparación en caso de inundación de emergencia

Esté listo y preparado para emergencias

Información meteorológica del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología (NWS, en inglés) — Albuquerque NM

Facebook del NWS de Albuquerque

NWS: Guía sobre inundaciones repentinas y flujo de escombros tras un incendio

EL EQUIPO BAER DEL SERVICIO FORESTAL COMIENZA LA FASE 2 DE LA EVALUACIÓN

DESPUÉS DEL INCENDIO BLACK

 

El equipo de Respuesta de Emergencia en Áreas Quemadas (BAER, en inglés) del Bosque Nacional Gila (GNF, en inglés) comenzó la Fase 2 de la evaluación de los terrenos del Sistema Nacional de Bosques (NFS, en inglés) que fueron afectados por el incendio Black, ubicado 24 millas al norte de Mimbres, Nuevo México en la cordillera Black Mountain. Debido al gran tamaño y la actividad continua de este incendio, el equipo BAER quizá necesite dividir la zona quemada en dos fases para ser analizada y evaluada, comenzando en las áreas más frías y menos peligrosas del incendio.

 

Tras un gran incendio forestal, es posible que se necesiten medidas especiales para garantizar la seguridad del público y la comunidad, así como para proteger recursos naturales y culturales esenciales de eventos posteriores al incendio, como la erosión del suelo e inundaciones. El programa BAER utiliza estudios terrestres y aéreos, imágenes satelitales y modelos computarizados para evaluar las condiciones y recomendar tratamientos de emergencia para proteger bienes del NFS en peligro de posibles daños futuros.

 

Los equipos BAER se concentran en las medidas de emergencia que son necesarias para proteger la vida, seguridad y propiedades humanas; así como los recursos naturales y culturales, incluyendo las cuencas afectadas. La evaluación BAER identifica los riesgos inaceptables sobre los terrenos federales ante las amenazas posteriores a un incendio, y ayuda a los administradores de los terrenos a preparar las zonas quemadas ante posibles amenazas, como tormentas. Las zonas quemadas a menudo experimentan un aumento en la erosión del suelo y los escurrimientos ocasionados por las tormentas.

 

El equipo BAER del Servicio Forestal que evalúa el incendio Black está formado por hidrólogos, especialistas en suelos, ingenieros de caminos, biólogos, arqueólogos, especialistas recreativos y especialistas del sistema de información geográfica (GIS, en inglés). El primer paso en el proceso de evaluación BAER consiste en capturar imágenes y datos satelitales antes y después del incendio para crear un mapa de severidad de la quemadura del suelo, que ofrece información de referencia sobre el cambio en las condiciones de las cuencas y el posible impacto del incendio sobre las mismas. El informe de evaluación del equipo BAER incluirá recomendaciones de tratamientos y medidas de emergencia para estabilizar el suelo.

 

Asimismo, el equipo BAER coordinará y compartirá la información de su evaluación con otras agencias federales, incluyendo el Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS, en inglés), el Servicio Nacional de Meteorología (NWS, en inglés) y el Servicio Geológico (USGS) del Departamento del Interior de los Estados Unidos; así como con agencias estatales y condados/municipalidades locales que trabajen con dueños de propiedades privadas, propietarios de terrenos y negocios cercanos y en la parte baja del río para que se preparen ante las posibles inundaciones y el flujo de escombros como resultado del incendio. El NRCS es una agencia federal que tiene responsabilidad sobre terrenos privados, tanto dentro como en las zonas quemadas y cercanas al río, luego de un incendio.

 

Los hogares o negocios que puedan ser afectados por una inundación proveniente de terrenos federales tras un incendio forestal pueden calificar para ser cubiertos por el Programa Nacional de Seguros contra Inundaciones (NFIP, en inglés).  La información sobre el NFIP está disponible a través de la FEMA en www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, o www.floodsmart.gov/wildfires. Podrá encontrar más información sobre preparación contra inundaciones en www.ready.gov/floods at www.floodsmart.gov/.

 

 

MENSAJE DE SEGURIDAD DE BAER: Toda persona cerca y en los niveles inferiores de las zonas quemadas debe permanecer alerta y mantenerse actualizada sobre las condiciones meteorológicas que podrían ocasionar lluvias fuertes y un aumento en los escurrimientos de agua. Las inundaciones repentinas pueden ocurrir rápido durante las lluvias fuertes, así que esté preparado para actuar. Puede encontrar notificaciones meteorológicas y de emergencia actualizadas en la página web del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología:  www.weather.gov/abq/.

FOREST SERVICE BAER TEAM BEGINS

POST-FIRE ASSESSMENT OF THE BLACK FIRE

 

The Gila National Forest (GNF) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has begun its assessment of National Forest System (NFS) lands impacted by the Black Fire located 24 miles north of Mimbres, New Mexico, on the Black Mountain Range. Due to the large size and ongoing active fire behavior on this wildfire, the BAER team may need to divide the burned area into two phases for assessment and analysis, beginning in the cooler and safer areas of the 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. The BAER program uses ground and aerial surveys, satellite imagery and computer models to evaluate conditions and recommend emergency treatments to protect NFS values at risk from further damage.

 

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. Burned areas often experience increased soil erosion and runoff from rainstorms.

 

The Forest Service BAER team assessing the Black Fire consists of hydrologists, soil scientists, road engineers, biologists, archaeologists, recreation specialists, and geographic information system (GIS) specialists. The first step in the BAER assessment process is taking pre-fire and post-fire satellite imagery and data to produce a soil burn severity map, which provides baseline information on changed watershed conditions and potential watershed impacts from the fire. The BAER team’s assessment report will include recommended emergency stabilization treatments and actions.

 

The BAER team will coordinate and share information from its assessment with other federal agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Weather Service (NWS) and US Geological Survey (USGS) 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. NRCS is a federal agency that has post-fire responsibilities on private lands both within and downstream of burned areas.

 

Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that result 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 www.floodsmart.gov/wildfires. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods at www.floodsmart.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/.

     

After Fire Flooding and Recovery Resources Guide for NM Communities

After Wildfire New Mexico Guide for Communities: https://www.afterwildfirenm.org/ and also attached below as a PDF document under Related Information.

This guide is an interagency response to fire affected communities’ requests for a one-stop-shop for information to help them respond to wildfires.

In recent years, New Mexico experienced multiple catastrophic wildfires, many followed by intense flooding. In the wake of these events, communities had to navigate a complex system of state and federal response authorities.

This guide was created to help communities organize and respond to wildfire and subsequent flooding.

The guide contains safety information, flood information, state and federal agency resources and contacts for assistance, ways to mobilize your community, and financial and funding tips for communities and families.

It is intended to provide useful guidance through a difficult time, and to start you and your community on the road to recovery. If you are reading this before a wildfire occurs, use it to help you plan ahead. 

Post-Fire Resources for NM Private Land Owners

Southwest Region – New Mexico

Post-Fire Resources for Private Property Owners

POST-FIRE WATERSHED CONDITIONS—KEY MESSAGES

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.

Summer monsoon thunderstorms and winter rain events in the southwest mountains can result in high water 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 areas.

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.

SAFETY CONCERNS CONTINUE AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT

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

We recognize the threat potential of flash floods and debris flows may exist for the next several years, depending on the intensity of these storms.

For life and safety concerns, burned area public land closures are sometimes 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 within and downstream from the burned areas.

ASSESSING BURNED WATERSHEDS RESPONSE

Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams work with each of the national forests, to assess the condition of the watersheds on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by wildfires.

BAER assessment teams identify potential emergency threats to BAER critical values that may be considered at-risk on federal lands such as:

§  Human life and safety.

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

§  Critical 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.

§  Critical cultural and heritage resources such as pre-historic and historic properties and sites.

BAER assessment teams recommend emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal land to reduce potential post-fire threats.

ASSISTANCE FOR PRIVATE LAND AND HOMEOWNERS ADJACENT TO AND DOWNSTREAM FROM BURNED AREAS

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

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

The USDA Forest Service and the USDA 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 water run-off and potential flooding impacts.

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 Forest Service 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: Emergency Watershed Protection Program | NRCS New Mexico (usda.gov).

The following links provide information and references for state and 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:

After Fire: Toolkit for the Southwest (postfiresw.info)

After Wildfire: A Guide for New Mexico Communities

New Mexico Fire Information: After a Wildfire

Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management - Welcome to NewMexico.gov (nm.gov)

New Mexico Current Road Conditions

NM Counties Wildfire Risk Reduction Program

New Mexico County Office of Emergency Services

New Mexico Counties, NM County List - USA (officialusa.com)

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/.

LINKS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND WEBSITES

NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Recovery Assistance

USDA Fire Recovery Assistance

FEMA Flood Insurance Program

FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk

FEMA Flood After Fire—Fact Sheet

Recovering from Wildfire-Damage Assessments

After Disaster Guidebook Template - Emergency Management - CSU Extension (colostate.edu)

Boulder-County-After-the-Disaster-Guidebook-CSU-Extension-V4.pdf (colostate.edu)

Flood Emergency Preparedness

Be Ready & Prepare for Emergencies

NWS Weather Information—Albuquerque NM

NWS-Albuquerque Facebook

NWS Post-Wildfire Flash Flood-Debris Flow Guide

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Limitations

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging storm event to meet program objectives.

BAER Objectives:

• Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.
• If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to human life and safety, Forest Service property and other critical natural and cultural resource values.
• Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.
• Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

BAER Interagency Coordination:

Post-fire emergency response is a shared responsibility. There are several Federal, State and local agencies that have emergency response responsibilities or authorities in the post-fire environment. The BAER team coordinates with these agencies to look at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to human life and property. It is important that BAER efforts are communicated with all affected and interested cooperating agencies and organizations regarding other post-fire recovery and restoration efforts.

BAER treatments cannot prevent all of the potential flooding or soil erosion impacts, especially after a wildfire-changed landscape. It is important for the public to stay informed and prepared for potentially dramatic increased run-off events.

One of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination to provide post-fire threat information to local cooperators who can assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners to prepare for rain events. For example, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program for post-emergency assistance on private and tribal land, the National Weather Service (NWS) has responsibility for flood warning alerts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has flood insurance and other responsibilities if the area is a Presidentially-declared emergency, Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) and counties, as well as State and local-highway and emergency services departments, Flood Control authorities, etc. It is important that landowners work directly with NRCS and other agencies to determine appropriate actions needed to protect private structures and other assets.

BAER Process:

BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, botanists, archeologists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe temporary emergency stabilization actions on National Forest System lands to protect the land quickly and effectively. BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Response action timing is essential to ensure the emergency stabilization measures are effective.

There are a variety of emergency stabilization actions that the BAER team can recommend for Forest Service land such as mulching with agricultural straw or chipped wood to protect soil productivity, increasing road drainage to keep roads and bridges from washing-out during post-fire floods, and early detection rapid response invasive plant treatments to prevent spread of weeds into native plant communities. BAER treatments are preventative in nature but cannot prevent all damage, especially debris torrents in areas that are prone to sliding and have lost critical root structure from plants.

The Cans and Cannots of BAER:

What BAER Can Do:

• Install water or erosion control devices
• Seed or mulch for erosion control or stability reasons
• Install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites
• Install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas
• Install warning signs
• Replace minor safety related facilities, like burned guard rails
• Install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads, trails
• Remove critical safety hazards
• Prevent permanent loss of T&E habitat
• Monitor BAER treatments
• Implement EDRR treatments to minimize the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities

What BAER Cannot Do:

• Prevent all flooding and debris flows
• Replant commercial forests or grass for forage
• Excavate and interpret cultural sites
• Replace burned pasture fences
• Install interpretive signs
• Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
• Repair roads damaged by floods after fire
• Remove all hazard trees
• Replace burned habitat
• Monitor fire effects
• Treat pre-existing noxious weeds

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is forwarded onto the Washington Office.

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/.

KEY ELEMENTS OF A BAER ASSESSMENT 

Forest Service BAER assessment teams are established by Forest Supervisors before wildfires are fully contained. The teams coordinate and work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), National Weather Service (NWS), local counties, State Department of Transportation, and other federal, state, and local agencies to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds burned from wildland fires.

The BAER assessment teams are evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural-heritage resources, and determine if there are appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow threats.

The BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area.

BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, geologists, biologists, botanists, archeologists, geographic information system mapping specialists, recreation and trails specialists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency response actions to protect the land quickly and effectively.

BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

The BAER assessment team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and watershed response to the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of low/unburned, moderate, and high which corresponds to a projected increase in watershed response.

The BAER team presents these findings and treatment recommendations to the Forest Supervisor in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency stabilization actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural-heritage and critical natural resources on National Forest System lands.

The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire response information, areas of concern for human life, safety and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization actions for federal lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated.

If the BAER assessment team determines there may be potential emergency situations, the short-term goal is to have flood and erosion control protection measures completed before the first large, damaging rain events occur.

Timely implementation is critical if BAER emergency response actions are to be effective.

The BAER assessment team coordinates with other federal and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding.

Federal assistance to private landowners regarding post-fire potential impacts is the primary responsibility of the NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/)

NRCS in coordination with additional state, local and federal agencies conduct damage survey reports for the private land adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas. NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop recommended emergency measures for businesses and private home and landowners to reduce the impacts to their property from potential increased water and debris flows.

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/.

FOREST SERVICE BAER PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging event to meet program objectives:

BAER Objectives:

-   Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.

-   If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to health, safety, human life, property, and critical cultural and natural resources.

-   Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to critical values resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.

-   Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.

-   Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase, and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Time is critical if the emergency stabilization measures are to be effective.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within 7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is to the Washington Office.

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/.

THREE PHASES OF WILDFIRE RECOVERY

There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands:

-       Fire Suppression Repair

-       Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)

-       Long-Term Recovery and Restoration

o   Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

o   Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flows, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: mulching, seeding, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; prevent the spread of noxious weeds and protect critical cultural resources.

o   Long-Term Recovery and Restoration utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat, reforestation, other planting or seeding, monitoring fire effects, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.

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/.