Firefighters make good progress despite challenging weather conditions
 Bonanza, OR—Despite the forecast for challenging winds the Cutoff Fire experienced no new growth and the fire stayed within its established footprint. On the northern portion of the fire, firefighters began mop-up operations and strengthened control lines. Several helicopters dropped water on the southern portion of the fire where winds and dry fuel conditions caused more active fire behavior.
This evening, night resources will continue to monitor for thunderstorms which are forecast to develop into the early morning hours. These passing storms could bring wetting rains and hail directly under the cells. Gusty and erratic winds are associated with thunderstorm activity. Crews are also prepared to respond if new starts materialize from the passing storms. The current Red Flag Warning expires at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23.
At noon on June 21, 2021, Klamath County Emergency Management and Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, under recommendation of the Incident Commander for the Cutoff Fire, reduced the Evacuation Level 3 area (GO NOW) to Level 2 (GET SET). The current evacuation recommendations are:• Level 2 (GET SET)East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Rd, North to Grizzly Ln, West of Hummingbird Dr, and Forest Service Rd 3812 South three miles past Keno Springs Rd.• Level 1 (GET READY)East of Bly Mountain Cutoff Rd, North to Hwy 140 and Kingfisher Dr, West of Hummingbird Dr, South to Grizzly Ln.
While evacuation levels were reduced, there is still significant danger in the area. Residents should be aware of the possibility of down powerlines, damaged trees at risk of falling, and other dangers. Roads in the fire area remain closed to all but emergency vehicles and residents only. Firefighting equipment traffic will continue to be heavy in the fire area. Klamath County Sheriff’s Office will also continue patrols in the area.
ODF Incident Management Team 1 will be holding a public meeting tomorrow, June 22 at 7:00 p.m. Members of the community are invited to join us at Bonanza Big Springs Park, 300 Main Street. A live stream will be available via Facebook live. In the case of severe weather please join us on the Facebook page for a virtual presentation.

BONANZA, Ore.— At noon on June 21, 2021 Klamath County Emergency Management, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, working with Incident Command for the Cutoff Fire in Bonanza Oregon reduced the evacuation Level 3 (GO NOW) to Level 2 (GET SET).

•     Level 2 (GET SET)

 Fire crews work spot fires as they prepare for shifting winds
 

BONANZA, Ore.—Firefighters were kept busy overnight suppressing a number of small fires started by drifting embers on the southern and eastern flanks of the Cutoff Fire, six miles north of Bonanza in Klamath County. Fire lines on the northern and western portions of the fire held overnight. Today, firefighters will begin mopping up those portions of the fire, cooling hot spots. Over half of the fire’s 1,150-acre perimeter has been lined. Containment remains at 10 percent.

The fire is burning on a mix of public and private forestland and threatens approximately 125 structures. Evacuations remain in effect today with a Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation for the area east of Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, between Jaguar Lane/Racoon Lane and Spaniel Lane/ Crocodile Lane, west of Thrasher Drive. Those levels will be reviewed later today for possible change.

Firefighters will be challenged late today when winds are expected to pick up. A red-flag warning is in effect from 5 p.m. due to thunderstorms with associated shifting winds, with gusts possible up to 25 miles per hour. These conditions are expected to challenge control lines as the vegetation remains extremely dry, similar to mid-to-late July conditions. Thunderstorms are expected to be dry early, but may bring rain later in the evening.

A total of 250 personnel have been assigned to the fire, including ground crews, fire engines, bulldozers and other heavy equipment. About nine aircraft will continue attacking the fire today, including helicopters. Other available aircraft are single-engine air tankers and a very large air tanker. They will drop water and retardant to slow the fire’s spread and help firefighters tackle any small fires starting beyond the control lines.

A community meeting about the fire is planned for Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Bonanza, which will be streamed live on the Cutoff Fire’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CutoffFire2021)

American Red Cross and the Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have set up shelter for evacuees at the Living Springs Fellowship Church (31897 Mission St, Bonanza, OR 97623). The shelter offers temporary housing, meals, first aid and a pet shelter.

ODF’s Incident Management Team 1 has been in command of the fire since Sunday night. Incident Commander Joe Hessel said the emphasis today is on safety due to the changing wind and thunderstorms. “We want to keep the fire from spreading today in that very dry vegetation, so firefighters will need to be very aware as winds move around and increase in speed.”

 Fire crews mopping up hot spots ahead of coming heat wave

BONANZA, Ore.— Overnight, detection operations were conducted by numerous methods including a drone, a fixed-wing airplane, and ground-based crews, all equipped with infrared heat detection equipment. These are just some of the tools that fire managers are using to ensure the Cutoff Fire is contained. 

There has been no fire growth in the past 24-hours.  Firefighters have shifted their attention to the mop up process.  Mop up consists of intentionally identifying hot spots that could threaten the fire line and extinguishing them. Last night’s infrared detection resources have given firefighters detailed information on where many of these hotspots are.

Firefighting traffic remains heavy in the fire area.  Fire managers ask that other traffic in the area stay aware and reduce speeds as they share the roads with firefighters.  Fire managers would also like to remind people that hazards remain in and near the fire area, including fire-weakened trees, stump holes filled with hot ash and other hazards.   

Forecasts call for temperatures in Klamath County to soar headed into the weekend, reaching at least 100 degrees by Sunday. Fire managers are reminding firefighters to drink plenty of water to avoid heat-related illnesses.

A Level 2 (GET SET) evacuation recommendation remains in effect for the area east of Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, between Jaguar Lane/Raccoon Lane and Spaniel Lane/ Crocodile Lane, west of Thrasher Drive. A Level 1 (GET READY) evacuation notice is in place for other areas.

ODF Incident Management Team 1’s Deputy Incident Commander Eric Perkins praised firefighters today for their work in this phase of the operation. “About 70 percent of what we do as wildland firefighters is put out hot spots near a fire’s edge. It’s not glamorous work but it’s important.”                                                                                 

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Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazards
 

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

From the USGS website found at https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/:

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

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

https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/detail.php?objectid=347.

Much of the burn area is estimated to have a rather low level of debris-flow hazard.  However, some of the small, steep, more severely burned watersheds in the central portion of the burn area are predicted to have moderate to high debris-flow hazard, with higher likelihood values (> 40%) in response to a relatively modest storm intensity.  Fortunately, predicted magnitudes are expected to be relatively small throughout most of the burn area.

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

AFTER THE FIRE: Toolkits

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

https://postfiresw.info/

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

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

 FOREST SERVICE TELEGRAPH POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT COMPLETED

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

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: https://www.weather.gov/psr/.

Post-Fire BAER—Preparing for Rain Events 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Three Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have been working on the Tonto National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and San Carlos Apache Reservation to assess the condition of the watersheds on federal and tribal land that burned in the Telegraph and Mescal wildfires.

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

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

§  Human life and safety.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gila County Flood Control District

Gila County Emergency Management Division

Gila County Emergency Alerts

Pinal County Flood Control District

Pinal County Emergency Management

Pinal County Emergency Alert Notification Sign-Up

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/.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/psr/.

BLM TELEGRAPH BAER POST-RECOVERY PLAN RELEASED

The DOI Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its post-fire recovery plan for emergency stabilization measures and Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) assessments on BLM lands burned by the Telegraph Fire.  The emergency treatments and activities are designed to decreased possible impacts to critical values from the burned area such as: life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.  NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF document called “BLM Telegraph BAER Post-Fire Recovery Plan_PUBLIC”.
 

MONSOON SAFETY VIDEOS ON THE NWS-PHOENIX YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

The National Weather Service and the Arizona Department of Emergency & Military Affairs developed this video to promote awareness of life-threatening and damaging weather hazards affecting Arizona and its residents during the North American Monsoon:

https://youtu.be/jTsnKw8j4Vk.

This is the 2021 Monsoon Outlook for the state of Arizona, presented to you by the National Weather Service Offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Las Vegas.

https://youtu.be/q4QKg4nfl3o.