Order Number: 0414-04-138

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

SAWTOOTH AND SALMON-CHALLIS NATIONAL FORESTS

SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECRECATION AREA,

YANKEE FORK RANGER DISTRICT

 

TRAP CREEK FIRE AREA, ROAD AND TRAIL CLOSURE

Version 1

 

Public Safety

PROHIBITIONS:

 

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited in the Area described in this Order, including the National Forest System Roads and Trails within the Area, located within the administrative boundaries of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Sawtooth National Forest and Yankee Fork Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest. This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect through October 30, 2020, at 00:01 AM, unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.

1.     Going into or upon the Area described below. 36 CFR 261.52(e).

2.     Being on the Roads described below.  36 CFR 261.54(e).

3.     Being on the Trails described below.  36 CFR 261.55(a).

 

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e) the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.     Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

2.     Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

3.     Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.

 

AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

 

All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary described beginning at the junction of Nation Forest Trail (NFT) 628 and NFT 624 in T10 N, R11 E, Section 25; then continuing North along NFT 624 to the intersection of NFT 626 in T11 N, R10 E, Section 15; then continuing North along NFT 626 to intersection with NFT 026 in T11 N, R10 E, Section 10; then continuing North on NFT 026 to the junction of National Forest Road (NFR) 195 in T12 N, R11 E, Section 23, then continuing Northeast on NFR 195 to the junction of Highway 21 in T11 N, R11 E, Section 23; then continuing Northeast on NFR 343 to the junction of NFR 203 in T12 N, R11 E, Section 13; then continuing Northeast on NFR 203 to the junction of NFR 297 in T12 N, R11 E, Section 13; then continuing West on NFR 297 to the junction of NFR 290 T12 N, R12 E, Section 18; then continuing Southeast on NFR 290 to the junction NFT 258 T12 N, R12 E, Section 21; then continuing Southeast on NFT 258 to NFR 304A T12 N, R12 E, Section 27; then continuing South on NFR 304A, but not including NFR 304A, to the junction of Highway 21 in T11 N, R12 E, Section 4; then continuing West on Highway 21 to the junction of NFR 614 T11 N, R12 E, Section 10; then continuing Southwest on NFR 614 to the junction of NFT 853 in T11 N, R12 E, Section 16; then continuing Southwest on NFT 853 to the junction of NFT 628 in T11 N, R12 E, Section 19; then continuing Southwest on NFT 628 to the beginning junction of NFT 628 and NFT 624 in T10 N, R11 E, Section 25.

 

Excluding State Highway 21, which will remain open.

 

 

PURPOSE:

 

The Area described above is closed to public entry in order to provide for public safety during wildfire suppression activities.

 

IMPLEMENTATION:

 

1.     This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect through October 30, 2020, at 00:01 AM, unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.

2.     A Map identifying the above-described Area, Roads and trails is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and is made part of this Order.

3.     Violation of the above prohibition(s) is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual, or $10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months. [Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7).]

4.     Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area office in Ketchum, ID, 208-727-5000 or the Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Jerome, ID, 208-423-7500.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Done at Jerome, ID this 16 day of September 2020.

/s/ Jim DeMaagd

Jim DeMaagd

Forest Supervisor

 

Sawtooth National Forest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Done at Salmon, ID this 16 day of September 2020.

 

/s/ Heather DeGeest for

 

 

Chuck Mark

 

Forest Supervisor

 

Salmon-Challis National Forest

The Trap Fire is burning 9 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho.  It is approximately 110 acres burning in timber.  Incident Commander (IC) is Riley Rhoades and Jake Renz is the IC trainee.  Highway 21 is closed due to fire activity in proximity of the highway.  A pilot car will assist travelers through the area. 

TRAP CREEK FIRE:  The Trap Creek fire is located on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area ~ 9 miles northwest of Stanley, ID. The Trap Creek Fire was first reported on September 14th, 2020, near Trap Creek Campground. Dry conditions, low visibility, group torching, and creeping are all factors affecting firefighting efforts. Incident Commander (IC) is Riley Rhodes and Jake Renz is the IC trainee. Standing snag patches pose a continual threat to firefighters and

HWY 21 traffic. HWY 21 from mile post 116 to 119 is closed at night, and only open with a pilot car during the day, due to limited visibility from smoke and trees falling onto the highway. Highway concerns expected for the next 3 or 4 days. Be advised that intermittent closures of the highway are possible due to increase in fire behavior.

 

CLOSURES – A forest area closure is in effect for the area around the fire (see map). The purpose of this order is to protect the public and fire fighters during wildfire activity suppression activities. This includes all roads, trails, campgrounds, and hunting units within the closure.

 

Total acreage: 420

Percent Containment: 0%

 

For public safety: All Forest visitors are reminded to let someone know where they are going in case of emergency and please sign in at trailheads.

 

Know before you go. All Forest visitors are reminded to check with their local forest districts concerning forest closures and restrictions. For further inquiries about the Trap Creek Fire and adjacent areas, please call the Stanley Ranger Station 208-774-3000

BAER KEY MESSAGES PREPARING FOR RAIN

 

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 manage unacceptable risks afterwards.

 

Summer thunderstorms and other rain events in the mountains can result in high runoff and flash flooding.

 

Wildfire increases the potential for post fire flooding, 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 burned areas should expect increased flooding and debris transport during smaller rain events than would normally cause this.

 

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 and winter seasons, depending on the intensity of these storms.

 

For life and safety concerns, California National Forest 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 recent wildfires.

 

Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have been working on California’s National Forests to assess the condition of the watersheds on federal land that burned this summer and fall.

 

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

 

BAER critical values that may be considered at-risk on National Forest System (NFS) lands are:

• Human life and safety.

• Property on Forest Service lands such as buildings, water systems and infrastructure, road and trail prisms.

• Natural Resources on Forest Service lands 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 on Forest Service lands.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

NRCS works with local sponsors to 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 sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

 

Many local county offices of emergency management promote preparedness through 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. Please check your local county website for emergency preparedness for potential National Weather Service flood warnings.

 

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.floodsmart.gov/, or www.floodsmart.gov/flood-insurance/why. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods.

 

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 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/.

Valley Post-Fire BAER Assessment and Specialist Reports Released

Attached as PDF documents to this article (see below under Related Information) are the Post-Fire BAER Team’s 2500-8 Assessment Report findings, and 3 BAER Specialists Reports (Hydrologist, Soil Scientist, Geologist) which contain their analysis, maps, and photos for the Valley burned area.

PREPARING FOR RAINSTORMS

 

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.  Wildfire increases the potential for flooding, post-fire soil erosion and debris flows that could impact homes, structures, campgrounds, aquatic dependent plants and animals, 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.  Monsoonal storms bring heavy rain and rapid runoff from burned areas.  Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads and trails within and downstream from the burned areas on the Cleveland National Forest (NF).

 

The Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team working with the Cleveland NF to assess post fire conditions of the watersheds on federal land that were burned in the Valley Fire. The BAER assessment team identifies potential emergency threats to critical values-at-risk and recommends emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal lands to reduce potential threats. 

 

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

 

Federal assistance to private landowners is administered by NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/).  NRCS and the Resource Conservation Districts work with local governments (sponsors) to implement emergency measures in the wake of natural disasters to safeguard human lives, property, and natural resources. 

 

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 sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

 

Multiple agencies work with BAER teams and look at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to human life and safety, and property; however, BAER emergency stabilization actions on federal lands cannot prevent all of the potential flooding or soil erosion impacts, especially after wildfires change the landscape.

 

It is important that residents take steps to protect themselves and their property from flooding and debris flows:

 

- For their safety, communities need to monitor local weather reports and public safety bulletins, local road closures, emergency notifications, weather alerts, follow local county and city advisories, and act accordingly.

 

- Use a “weather radio” or smart phone “weather app” that monitors “all hazards” alerts issued by the NOAA-National Weather Service (www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/).

 

- Prepare for rainstorms by being prepared to evacuate if county or city emergency officials determine that flooding and debris flows are expected which could pose an increased threat to human life, safety, and property. Practice evacuations prior to real events.

 

- Know and be alert to environmental signs of dangerous weather conditions and be prepared to take action that can save lives.

 

- Understand that all drainages within and downstream of burned areas can produce flash flooding.

 

- If you find yourself in a flood, climb to safety (seek higher ground).

 

- Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don’t try it by vehicle or foot. Water hides dips in the road – worse yet, there may be no road left under the water as flooding can scour away the entire road surface and ground beneath the road.

 

 

Interagency Resources for Flood and Storm Preparedness and Emergency Information

 

Local Counties

 

The following local county departments 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:

·       San Diego County Flood Control

·       San Diego County After the Fire Erosion Assistance

·       San Diego County Flood Warning

·       San Diego County Flood Warning System

·       San Diego County Office of Emergency Services

·       San Diego County Survey Damage from Valley Fire VIDEO

·       Sign Up for Emergency AlertSanDiego

 

State Agencies

 

The California Department of Water Resources (Cal DWS) provides information about emergency preparedness, flood and storm preparation in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES):

·       Cal DWS-Flood Preparedness

·       Cal DWS-Flood After Fire Video

·       CalTrans & CA Highway Patrol (CHP)-Be Storm Ready Video

 

Other Federal Agencies

 

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) coordinates its Emergency Management program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local governments to provide engineering services to respond to national and natural disasters in order to minimize damages and help in recovery efforts. Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. Public Law 93-288 authorizes FEMA to task the Corps with disaster recovery missions under the Federal Response Plan: www.usace.army.mil/Missions/EmergencyOperations/NationalResponseFramework/FloodControl.aspx.

 

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/wildfires-you-need-flood-insurance or www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods at www.floodsmart.gov/.

 

The NOAA National Weather Service (NWS)-San Diego office created a website featuring information about flash flooding and debris flows, precipitation forecast and a flash flood potential forecast dashboard, and is located at: www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/hydro/ffpd.php. The NWS-San Diego and Forest Service discuss Monsoon Storm Awareness in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgK0GVrJyRo. Flood Safety Tips and Resources can be found at this NWS website: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood. 

 

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/sgx/.

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.

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/sgx/.   

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.

  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/sgx/.

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.

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/sgx/.

VALLEY BAER SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED

 

 

 

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and verification field work of the Valley Fire burn area.  The Soil Burn Severity map has been finalized.  Soil Burn Severity levels are Unburned/Very Low, Low, Moderate, and High.

The map shows that in the Valley Fire area, approximately 39% of the 16,769 acres analyzed by the BAER team is either unburned/very low (7%) or low (32%) soil burn severity, while 60% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and only 2% burned at high soil burn severity.

The BAER post-fire assessment team uses soil burn severity data to identify if there are areas of concern where increased soil erosion, accelerated surface water run-off, and debris flows have the potential to impact human life/safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources from storm events. The BAER team consists of Forest Service scientists and specialists that are considering emergency stabilization options for those critical resources.

BAER Team Leader Chris Stewart said, “The BAER team expects erosion and run-off within the Valley Fire area to moderately increase as a result of the fire because 62% of the burned area experienced moderate or high soil burn severity.”  In specific areas that experienced moderate to high soil burn severity, there is concern for increased post-fire run-off from steep hillslopes and resultant increases in post-fire soil erosion and debris flows.

 

The Valley Fire soil burn severity BAER map can be downloaded at the interagency “Valley Post-Fire BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7202) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “maps” tab.

A "Field Guide for Mapping Post-Fire Soil Burn Severity" can help with interpreting the map and can be found online at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr243.pdf.

 

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/sgx/.