BAER SPECIALISTS ASSESS ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN THE HERMITS PEAK & CALF CANYON BURNED AREAS

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists are currently evaluating Forest Service roads within the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon burned areas for potential threats to the roads from flash flooding, debris flows impacting drainage crossings and the overall infrastructure due to increased erosion, sedimentation, and water flows. Roads and trails are BAER critical values that need to be assessed for these threats. BAER teams recommend emergency stabilization treatments and actions to minimize those threats.

In the 1st photo below, BAER specialists Paul Brown (Watershed Program Manager from the Apache-Sitgreaves NF), Edgar Martinez (Hydrologist from the Gila NF), Sarah Smith (Recreation Specialist from the Santa Fe NF) and Alex Makic (Hydrologist from the Tonto NF), along with Lisa Archuleta (Transportation Manager and Civil Engineer for the Santa NF and Carson NF) are inspecting and evaluating risk at one of the many bridges on Forest Service NFSR 263 Road in Gallinas Canyon.

In the 2nd photo, Sarah Smith is evaluating conditions at a culvert along NFSR 156. The BAER team needs to determine whether road culverts have sufficient capacity to pass post-fire modeled increased water and debris flows—in particular, they look to see if they are clogged, collapsed, or could get clogged after major rainstorm events.
 

INTERAGENCY BAER SPECIALISTS ASSESS HERMITS PEAK & CALF CANYON BURNED AREAS

Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists are currently assessing multiple soil properties that changed during the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires. 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, Santa Fe National Forest Soil and Watershed Program Manager, and BAER Team Leader Micah Kiesow is assessing soil burn severity of the Hermits Peak burned area from a vantage point within the Tecolote Creek Headwaters:

In this 2nd photo, Micah is mapping soil burn severity of the Gallinas Watershed in the Hermits Peak burned area:

In the 3rd photo, Jeremy Klass, the Natural and Working Lands Coordinator for the State of New Mexico, EMNRD (Energy Minerals Natural Resources Department) Forestry Division, is also mapping soil burn severity of the Gallinas Watershed in the Hermits Peak burned area.

Jeremy also assisted the Incident Management Team managing the suppression of the fires as a Resource Advisor (READ).  READS assist the fire managers and firefighters by:

• Identifying potential resource issues that may occur because of the fire or fire suppression activities.
• Coordinating with local specialists (biologist, archaeologist, engineers, resource, recreation, etc.) to identify potential impacts from fire suppression activities.
• Identifying existing utilities, roads, pipelines, and other uses on the land that may be affected.
• Developing recommendations for fire suppression rehabilitation of control lines.
• Provides guidance during the implementation of rehabilitation activities.
• Monitoring rehabilitation efforts.

FOREST SERVICE BAER TEAM BEGINS

POST-FIRE ASSESSMENT OF HERMITS PEAK AND CALF CANYON FIRES

The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has established a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team to begin the assessment of National Forest System (NFS) lands impacted by the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires on the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Due to the large size and ongoing active fire behavior on these two wildfires, the BAER team divided the burned area into phases for assessment and analysis, beginning in the cooler areas of the fire. The team plans to start its assessment in the Upper Gallinas Watershed.

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 values at risk from further damage.

Information about the Hermits Peak Fire can be found online at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8049/, the Calf Canyon Fire at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8069/, and information about the Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon BAER assessments at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8104/.

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 Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires 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 will provide 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), NOAA 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/.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

EQUIPO DE GESTIÓN DE

INCIDENTES DEL ÁREA DEL SUROESTE

EQUÍPO 4 – AARON HULBURD – COMANDANTE DEL INCIDENTE
 

Una organización local tipo 3 asumirá el mando del incendio Black
  

Actualización diaria del 27 de junio de 2022 
 

Acres: 325,136 acres

Contención: 70%

Personal total: 180

Causa: de orígen humano, a ser determinada

Fecha de inicio: Viernes 13 de mayo de 2022

Ubicación: 31 millas al noroeste de Truth or Consequences, NM

Combustibles: Coníferas mixtas y hierba alta
 

Puntos importantes: el lunes 27 de junio a las 6:00pm, el Equipo de gestión de incidentes Tipo 2 del Área Suroeste 4 transferirá el mando del incendio Black a una organización local de Tipo 3, dirigida por el comandante de incidentes Joe Sampson. El equipo 4 desea expresar su sincero agradecimiento a las comunidades locales por su apoyo, gratitud y hospitalidad durante este incidente. Debido a los exitosos esfuerzos de extinción de incendios, el incendio Black ahora tiene una contención de 70%, y los recursos se están desmovilizando para regresar a sus sitios de origen o se les está enviando para ayudar en otros incendios forestales en el país. Esta será la última actualización para el incendio Black a menos que ocurran eventos significativos.

Información futura sobre incendios: El número de teléfono y la dirección de correo electrónico del incendio Black ya no estarán activos después de las 6:00 PM esta tarde. Para futuras actualizaciones, comuníquese con el Bosque Nacional de Gila al 575-388-8201 o con el Oficial de Información Pública local en larry.smith@usda.gov.

Operaciones: el extremo noreste del incendio permanece saturado por las lluvias continuas, así que las cuadrillas están esperando que las condiciones se sequen antes de ingresar al área para terminar las reparaciones de extinción. En áreas donde el agua estancada empapa las carreteras, los bomberos están construyendo drenajes para desviar el agua y así reducir las condiciones lodosas. En muchas áreas del incendio sigue cayendo hasta media pulgada de lluvia o más cada día. Los bomberos pudieron acceder a la línea de topadoras al noreste de Las Animas Road en Ladder Ranch para continuar con el trabajo de reparación. En Water Canyon, las cuadrillas trabajan al norte hacia la línea de mano donde esta se une con la línea de topadoras. Están evaluando las condiciones y el terreno para determinar si una excavadora puede reparar esta línea de topadora o si debe hacerse a mano. Los bomberos están arreglando las líneas de topadoras alrededor del "derrame" de 40 acres que ocurrió el 15 de junio cerca de BloodGood Place. Se levantó la restricción temporal de vuelo que ha estado vigente sobre el área del incendio a partir de las 9:00 PM el 26 de junio. El equipo completará una transición detallada con la organización Tipo 3 y el Bosque Nacional Gila para garantizar el éxito después de su partida el lunes por la noche.

Clima: hoy será otro día con muchas nubes, temperaturas leves, humedad elevada y vientos generalmente ligeros. Aunque veremos un poco menos de humedad monzónica a mediados de semana, aún así habrá suficente en su lugar sobre la región. Esto significa que habrá un poco más de sol y menos nubes, pero seguiremos teniendo lluvias y tormentas eléctricas diarias, con humedad elevada y vientos generalmente ligeros.

Evacuaciones: se han levantado todos los niveles de evacuación y preparación para evacuaciones para las comunidades en los condados de Sierra, Grant y Catron.

Cierres: sigue vigente el cierre de emergencia del incendio Black en las tierras del Sistema de Bosques Nacionales alrededor del área de incendio Black. Información adicional está disponble en el sitio web del Bosque Nacional Gila. La carretera 152 está abierta desde el marcado de millas 40 (Kingston) hasta el marcador de millas 15 (San Lorenzo). Por favor, siga practicando precaución en el área y tenga en cuenta el aumento del tráfico de bomberos.

Restricciones: el Bosque Nacional de Gila ha levantado todas las restricciones de incendio a partir del viernes 24 de junio. La decisión de levantar las restricciones de Etapa II se basó en varios factores, incluido el pronóstico favorable del clima monzónico, la posibilidad menor de incendios forestales causados por personas y suficiente personal para la extinción de incendios. El público puede obtener información actual sobre restricciones de incendios estatales y federales por todo Nuevo México en Información de incendios en Nuevo México | Restricciones de incendios o restricciones de incendios en todo el estado de la División Forestal de NM.

Seguridad: la prioridad más alta siempre es la salud y la seguridad de los bomberos y el público. El público debe mantenerse alejado de las operaciones del incendio Black.

Humo: el humo es menos visible ya que las tormentas de lluvia han entrado al área del incendio Black. Un mapa interactivo de humo en https://fire.airnow.gov/ le permite hacer zoom en su área para ver las últimas condiciones de humo

Se publican las actualizaciones de incendios en InciWeb, las páginas de Facebook y Twitter del Bosque Nacional Gila, e Información sobre los incendios en NM.

Correo electrónico: 2022.black@firenet.gov • Teléfono: (575)-249-1264 • Horario  de oficina: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Acres: 325,136 acres

Contención: 70%

Personal total: 180

Causa: de orígen humano, a ser determinada

Fecha de inicio: Viernes 13 de mayo de 2022

Ubicación: 31 millas al noroeste de Truth or Consequences, NM

Combustibles: Coníferas mixtas y hierba alta
 

Puntos importantes: el lunes 27 de junio a las 6:00pm, el Equipo de gestión de incidentes Tipo 2 del Área Suroeste 4 transferirá el mando del incendio Black a una organización local de Tipo 3, dirigida por el comandante de incidentes Joe Sampson. El equipo 4 desea expresar su sincero agradecimiento a las comunidades locales por su apoyo, gratitud y hospitalidad durante este incidente. Debido a los exitosos esfuerzos de extinción de incendios, el incendio Black ahora tiene una contención de 70%, y los recursos se están desmovilizando para regresar a sus sitios de origen o se les está enviando para ayudar en otros incendios forestales en el país. Esta será la última actualización para el incendio Black a menos que ocurran eventos significativos.

Información futura sobre incendios: El número de teléfono y la dirección de correo electrónico del incendio Black ya no estarán activos después de las 6:00 PM esta tarde. Para futuras actualizaciones, comuníquese con el Bosque Nacional de Gila al 575-388-8201 o con el Oficial de Información Pública local en larry.smith@usda.gov.

Operaciones: el extremo noreste del incendio permanece saturado por las lluvias continuas, así que las cuadrillas están esperando que las condiciones se sequen antes de ingresar al área para terminar las reparaciones de extinción. En áreas donde el agua estancada empapa las carreteras, los bomberos están construyendo drenajes para desviar el agua y así reducir las condiciones lodosas. En muchas áreas del incendio sigue cayendo hasta media pulgada de lluvia o más cada día. Los bomberos pudieron acceder a la línea de topadoras al noreste de Las Animas Road en Ladder Ranch para continuar con el trabajo de reparación. En Water Canyon, las cuadrillas trabajan al norte hacia la línea de mano donde esta se une con la línea de topadoras. Están evaluando las condiciones y el terreno para determinar si una excavadora puede reparar esta línea de topadora o si debe hacerse a mano. Los bomberos están arreglando las líneas de topadoras alrededor del "derrame" de 40 acres que ocurrió el 15 de junio cerca de BloodGood Place. Se levantó la restricción temporal de vuelo que ha estado vigente sobre el área del incendio a partir de las 9:00 PM el 26 de junio. El equipo completará una transición detallada con la organización Tipo 3 y el Bosque Nacional Gila para garantizar el éxito después de su partida el lunes por la noche.

Clima: hoy será otro día con muchas nubes, temperaturas leves, humedad elevada y vientos generalmente ligeros. Aunque veremos un poco menos de humedad monzónica a mediados de semana, aún así habrá suficente en su lugar sobre la región. Esto significa que habrá un poco más de sol y menos nubes, pero seguiremos teniendo lluvias y tormentas eléctricas diarias, con humedad elevada y vientos generalmente ligeros.

Evacuaciones: se han levantado todos los niveles de evacuación y preparación para evacuaciones para las comunidades en los condados de Sierra, Grant y Catron.

Cierres: sigue vigente el cierre de emergencia del incendio Black en las tierras del Sistema de Bosques Nacionales alrededor del área de incendio Black. Información adicional está disponble en el sitio web del Bosque Nacional Gila. La carretera 152 está abierta desde el marcado de millas 40 (Kingston) hasta el marcador de millas 15 (San Lorenzo). Por favor, siga practicando precaución en el área y tenga en cuenta el aumento del tráfico de bomberos.

Restricciones: el Bosque Nacional de Gila ha levantado todas las restricciones de incendio a partir del viernes 24 de junio. La decisión de levantar las restricciones de Etapa II se basó en varios factores, incluido el pronóstico favorable del clima monzónico, la posibilidad menor de incendios forestales causados por personas y suficiente personal para la extinción de incendios. El público puede obtener información actual sobre restricciones de incendios estatales y federales por todo Nuevo México en Información de incendios en Nuevo México | Restricciones de incendios o restricciones de incendios en todo el estado de la División Forestal de NM.

Seguridad: la prioridad más alta siempre es la salud y la seguridad de los bomberos y el público. El público debe mantenerse alejado de las operaciones del incendio Black.

Humo: el humo es menos visible ya que las tormentas de lluvia han entrado al área del incendio Black. Un mapa interactivo de humo en https://fire.airnow.gov/ le permite hacer zoom en su área para ver las últimas condiciones de humo

Se publican las actualizaciones de incendios en InciWeb, las páginas de Facebook y Twitter del Bosque Nacional Gila, e Información sobre los incendios en NM.

Correo electrónico: 2022.black@firenet.gov • Teléfono: (575)-249-1264 • Horario  de oficina: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

SOUTHWEST AREA

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

TEAM 4 –AARON HULBURD –INCIDENT COMMANDER
 

Local Type 3 organization to assume command of the Black Fire

June 27, 2022 Daily Update
 

Acres: 325,136 acres

Containment: 70%

Total Personnel: 180

Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022

Location: 31 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, NM

Fuels: Timber and tall grass
 

Highlights: At 6:00 PM on Monday, June 27, the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command of the Black Fire to a local Type 3 organization, led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson. Team 4 extends its sincere thanks to the local communities for their support, gratitude, and hospitality throughout this incident. Due to successful firefighting efforts, the Black Fire is now 70% contained, and resources are either demobilizing to return to their home units or reassigning to assist other wildfires across the country. This is the final update for the Black Fire unless significant events occur.

Future Fire Information: The Black Fire Information phone number and email address will no longer be active after 6:00 PM this evening. For future updates, please contact the Gila National Forest at 575-388-8201 or the local Public Information Officer at larry.smith@usda.gov.

Operations: The northeast side of the fire is still saturated from ongoing rains, so crews are waiting for conditions to dry out before entering the area to finish suppression repairs. In areas where standing water is soaking the roads, firefighters are building drainages to divert water off the roadways to reduce the muddy conditions. Many areas of the fire continue to receive a half inch of rain or more each day. Firefighters were able to access the dozer line northeast of Las Animas Road on the Ladder Ranch to continue their repair efforts. In Water Canyon, the crews are working north toward the hand line to where it meets the dozer line. Firefighters are assessing conditions and terrain to determine whether this dozer line can be repaired by the excavator or if it needs to be done by hand. Firefighters are rehabilitating the dozer lines around the 40-acre “slopover” that occurred on June 15 near the BloodGood Place. The Temporary Flight Restriction that has been in place over the fire area was lifted as of 9:00 PM on June 26. The Team will complete a thorough transition with the Type 3 organization and the Gila National Forest to ensure continued success after their departure on Monday evening.

Weather: Today will be another day of abundant clouds, mild temperatures, elevated humidity, and generally light winds. Although we will see some slight losses in the amount of monsoonal moisture going into mid-week, plenty of it will stay in place over the region. This means a bit more sunshine and somewhat fewer clouds, but we will continue to see daily showers and thunderstorms, with elevated humidity and generally light winds.

Evacuations: All evacuations and evacuation preparedness levels have been lifted for communities in Sierra, Grant, and Catron Counties. 

Closures: The Black Fire Emergency Closure remains in effect on National Forest System lands around the Black Fire area. Additional information is available on the Gila National Forest website. Highway 152 is open from milepost 40 (Kingston) to milepost 15 (San Lorenzo). Please continue to use caution in the area and be mindful of fire traffic.

Restrictions: The Gila National Forest lifted all fire restrictions on Friday, June 24. The decision to lift Stage II restrictions was based on several factors, including a favorable monsoonal weather forecast, lesser occurrence of human-caused wildfires, and adequate firefighting staffing. The public can obtain current state and federal fire restriction information across New Mexico at NMFire Info | Fire Restrictions or NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is always the top priority. Members of the public should stay away from Black Fire operations.

Smoke: Smoke has become less visible as rainstorms have moved into the Black Fire area. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire updates are posted on InciWeb, the Gila National Forest Facebook and Twitter pages, and NM Fire Information.

Email:2022.black@firenet.gov• Phone: (575)-249-1264 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM