Attached to this article (see below for three documents in PDF format) are three documents that describe Forest Service regulation and policy direction for its Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program that is found in FSM 2520 manual directive and two memos issued to the field from its Washington and Southwest Region offices.

 SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 2, 2020 – A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team plans to begin assessing post-fire conditions on the Medio Fire as early as Thursday. With a primary focus on human life and safety, the BAER Team will analyze the fire’s impact, determine any values at immediate risk and recommend emergency treatments.

Led by Greg Kuyumjian who recently headed up a BAER team on the Coronado National Forest after the Bighorn Fire, the Medio Fire BAER Team will use field surveys, satellite imagery and computer models to evaluate the 3,721-acre burned area on the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF). BAER teams bring together specialists in multiple disciplines, which can include hydrology, soils, biology, archaeology and engineering, to conduct a rapid assessment of potential threats to safety, property, natural and cultural resources, and water quality after a wildfire. The team will recommend immediate actions focused primarily on minimizing threats to life and safety. Longer-term stabilization and rehabilitation recommendations will be shared with the forest for follow-up at a later time. Based on the lightning-caused Medio Fire’s location in steep, rugged terrain that includes multiple drainages, including the Rio Nambe and Rio en Medio, the BAER Team will look at increased potential for post-fire flooding, sediment and debris flows, and rockslides. The BAER Team’s findings will be shared with interagency cooperators, tribal partners, state and local governments, and downstream communities to help them prepare for post-fire impacts. Although monsoonal-type precipitation in September is not typical for Northern New Mexico, this year’s weather has been decidedly atypical. Residents of communities downstream from the burned area should stay updated on weather conditions that could result in heavy rains over the Medio Fire footprint. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found on the National Weather Service website. Additional information on the BAER Team's work will be posted on the SFNF Facebook and Twitter pages, Inciweb, NM Fire Info and the SFNF website.   

# # #

 SANTA FE, NM – Aug. 22, 2020 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Medio Fire.

The Medio Fire started Aug. 17 on the ridge between the Rio Nambe and Rio en Medio drainages on the Española Ranger District. Updates on fire operations are posted on the SFNF website, www.nmfireinfo.com and Inciweb.

The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, within an area that is roughly defined by the Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, the Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet the Rio Nambe Trail #160.

Although SFNF trails further east of the Medio Fire, including the Winsor Trail, are not part of the closure order, fire behavior can be unpredictable and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and steer clear of all areas that could be impacted by the Medio Fire.

Federal, state and local officers, firefighters and members of an organized rescue team, and any others authorized by Forest Service permit are exempt from the closure order.

Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

The closure order and map are available at SFNF headquarters, the Española Ranger District Office and on the SFNF website. All current closure orders are posted on the Alerts and Notices page of the website.

# # #

 El Evans Canyon Fire comenzó la tarde del 31 de agosto de 2020 y está ubicado en los condados de Yakima y Kittitas en el área de Evans Canyon.  El incendio está siendo manejado por un Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes Tipo 3 con el enfoque principal en la reparación de daños por limpieza y supresión.  Se han levantado todas las órdenes de evacuación y algunos cierres de áreas siguen en vigor debido a las órdenes de los Comisionados de Bomberos del Estado de Washington.  Se recomienda a las personas que consulten el sitio web de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de Yakima para obtener más información en https://www.yakimacounty.us/350/Emergency-Management

The Evans Canyon Fire started on the afternoon of Aug 31, 2020 and is located in Yakima and Kittitas Counties in the Evans Canyon area.  The fire is being managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team with the primary focus on mop-up and suppression damage repair.  All evacuation orders have been lifted and some area closures remain in effect due to the Washington State Fire Commissioners orders.  People are encouraged to check the Yakima County Emergency Management Website for more information at https://www.yakimacounty.us/350/Emergency-Management 
 The Oak Creek Wildlife Area is scheduled to open Monday morning. Visit the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website at wdfw.wa.gov for more information.

ESTA ES LA ÚLTIMA ACTUALIZACIÓN
 

 9 de septiembre de 2020
 
 El incendio de Evans Canyon se ubica aproximadamente a 8 millas al norte de Naches, Washington. Los cielos se despejaron ayer en el área del incendio.  Las temperaturas  serán más cálidas hoy, a mediados de los 80 en los valles, con vientos del este de 10-12 mph, hasta 20 mph.

 Operaciones de ayer:

Temperaturas más frescas y vientos ligeros en toda la zona permitieron que las cuadrillas extendieran la contención del fuego al 80% después de un día de haber retenido las líneas de control durante el evento meteorológico extremo. Las cuadrillas continuaron con los trabajos de reparación de supresión y extinción de materiales combustibles. Algunas de las cuadrillas y recursos del incendio de Evans Canyon fueron reasignados a varios incendios que comenzaron el lunes y el martes en el centro de Washington. Los bomberos del incendio de Evans Canyon continuaron ayudando con el ataque inicial a incendios nuevos.

Operaciones de hoy:

El Equipo 12 del Noroeste continuará desmovilizando recursos para apoyar otros incendios en toda la región y transferirá la gestión del incendio Evans Canyon a la unidad local del DNR de Washington a las 1800 horas. Hoy, todas las divisiones del incendio estarán extinguiendo materiales combustibles y patrullando. Las cuadrillas de bomberos restantes también trabajarán en la reparación de las líneas de control. Los bomberos estarán disponibles para responder si hay nuevos incendios en el área local.

Cierres:
 
La Puente peatonalde Untamum Creek que el rio Yakima permanence. Todos los demás cierres de fuego del Cañón Evans han sido levantados.
 
Menesaje de seguridad: 

Por favor manténgase alera y fuera de las áreas de cierre del incendio ya que los recursos comienzan a viajar a otros incendios en la región y los bomberos mueven equipos pesados y terminan el trabajo en la zona de incendios. Información sobre la calidad del aire se puede ver en  https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
 

TAMAÑO: 75,817 acres

CONTENCIÓN: 80%

PERSONAL: 361

CAUSA DEL INCENDIO:  a ser determinada

RECURSOS:

Cuadrillas de mano 4
Camiones de bomberos 35
Buldóceres 5
Camiones arrastre 1
Tanques de agua 6

AÉREO:

Helicópteros: 6
Aviones: 2 

 INFORMACIÓN DEL INCENDIO:

(509) 761-4858

sewaimtpio@gmail.com

INCIWEB:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7132/

 

 

 This is the Final Update for the Evans Canyon Fire

The Evans Canyon Fire is located approximately 8 miles north of Naches, Washington. Skies cleared in the Evans Canyon Fire area yesterday. Temperatures will be warmer today, in the mid-80s in the valleys, with east winds 10-12 mph gusting, to 20 mph. 

 

Yesterday’s Operations:

Cooler temperatures and light winds throughout the area allowed crews to extend containment of the fire to 80% after a day of holding the control lines during the extreme weather event. The crews continued with mop-up and suppression repair work. Some of the Evans Canyon Fire crews and resources were reassigned to several fires that started Monday and Tuesday in Central Washington. Firefighters from the Evans Canyon Fire continued to assist with initial attack on new fire starts.

Today’s Operations: 
Northwest Team 12 will continue to demobilize resources to support other fires across the region and will transfer management of the Evans Canyon Fire back to the local unit of the Washington DNR at 1800 hours. All divisions across the fire will be in mop-up and patrol status today. Remaining fire crews will also work on repair of suppression control lines. Firefighters will be available to respond if there are new fire starts in the local area.

Closures:  
The Umtanum Creek Footbridge that crosses the Yakima River remains closed. All other Evans Canyon fire closures have been lifted.

Safety Message:  
Please be aware and stay out of fire closure areas as resources start to travel to other fires in the region and firefighters move heavy equipment and finish up work across the fire area. Air quality information can be found at https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

All areas previously closed will be opening tomorrow with the exception of the Umtanum Foot Bridge and recreation areas beyond. These areas include Highway 821 (Yakima Canyon Hwy), the Yakima River, boat ramps, and Yakima River Canyon campgrounds, BBQ Flats and Wenas recreation areas along with parts of North Wenas Road, Sheep Company Road, Naches Wenas Road, and Longmire Road will be open. Umtanum Foot Bridge to remain closed.

 

Pacific Northwest Team 12 will be holding its final virtual community meeting on the Evans Canyon Fire hosted via Facebook Live on the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management Facebook page at 5 PM tomorrow, September 9th. 

EQUIPO 12 DE DIRECCIÓN DE INCIDENTES DEL NOROESTE

Comandante del incidente: Jeff Dimke 8 de septiembre de 2020

El incendio de Evans Canyon se ubica, aproximadamente, a 8 millas del norte de Naches (Washington). Los vientos de ayer trasladaron el humo de otros incendios a lo largo de la región central de Washington hasta el área del incendio de Evans Canyon. Hoy, las temperaturas serán más frescas, alrededor de los 70 grados en los valles, con vientos que vendrán del este a 10-14 millas por hora y con ráfagas de 20 millas por hora.

 

Operaciones de ayer:

Los fuertes vientos pronosticados aparecieron ayer en la tarde y fueron mitigados gracias a las líneas de control. Además, los históricos vientos del lunes no ocasionaron un aumento en el tamaño del incendio. Sin embargo, se reasignaron algunos equipos de bomberos y recursos para combatir nuevos incendios en la zona central de Washington. Los bomberos del incendio de Evans Canyon también ayudaron a combatir dos nuevos incendios locales.

Operaciones de hoy:

El Equipo 12 del Noroeste seguirá desmovilizando recursos para ayudar en otros incendios de la región, y tiene planificado transferir la gestión del incendio de Evans Canyon a la unidad local de Recursos Naturales de Washington en las próximas 48 horas. Todas las divisiones en la zona del incendio realizarán trabajos de patrullaje y neutralización; asimismo, los equipos restantes trabajarán en la reparación de las líneas de control y contención. Los bomberos estarán disponibles para responder ante cualquier nuevo incendio que se produzca en el área local.   

Cierres:

La carretera 821 (Yakima Canyon Highway), el río Yakima, las rampas para botes y el área de acampar de Yakima River Canyon estarán abiertos a partir de mañana a las 6 AM. BBQ Flats, las áreas recreativas de Wenas y algunas partes de las carreteras North Wenas, Sheep Company, Naches Wenas y Longmire  permanecen cerradas.

Mensaje de seguridad:

Los actuales niveles 2 y 3 de evacuación en los condados Yakima y Kittitas no han cambiado. Para estar informado sobre las últimas actualizaciones de evacuación visite la página YakimaCountyOEM en Facebook y la página web de la oficina del alguacil del condado de Kittitas.  Esté alerta y manténgase fuera de las áreas cerradas del incendio, ya que los bomberos están movilizando equipos pesados para terminar trabajos en toda la zona del incendio. Puede encontrar información sobre la calidad del aire en https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

TAMAÑO: 75,817 acres

CONTENCIÓN: 70%

PERSONAL: 571

CAUSA DEL INCENDIO:  a ser determinada

RECURSOS:

Equipos de obreros: 9

Camiones de bomberos: 63

Excavadoras: 6

Camiones de arrastre: 2

Tanques de agua: 9

AÉREO:

Helicópteros: 6

Aviones: 2

The Evans Canyon Fire is located approximately 8 miles north of Naches, Washington. Yesterday’s wind event moved smoke from other fires across Central Washington into the Evans Canyon Fire area. Temperatures are cooler today, in the mid-70s in the valleys with east winds 10-14 mph gusting to 20 mph.

Yesterday’s Operations: 
The predicted strong winds appeared yesterday afternoon, and control lines were tested and held. There was no increase in the size of the fire as a result of Monday’s historic wind event. Several new fires started across Central Washington yesterday, and some fire crews and resources were reassigned to these new fires. Firefighters from the Evans Canyon Fire also assisted with two new local fire starts.

Today’s Operations: 
Northwest Team 12 will continue to demobilize resources to support other fires across the region and plans to transfer management of the Evans Canyon Fire back to the local unit of the Washington DNR within the next 48 hours. All divisions across the fire will be in mop-up and patrol status today. Remaining fire crews will also work on repair of suppression control lines. Firefighters will be available to respond if there are new fire starts in the local area.   
 

Closures:

Highway 821 (Yakima Canyon Hwy), the Yakima River, boat ramps, and Yakima River Canyon campgrounds will open tomorrow at 6 AM. BBQ Flats and Wenas recreation areas along with parts of North Wenas Road, Sheep Company Road, Naches Wenas Road, and Longmire Road remain closed. 

Safety Message:

Existing Yakima and Kittitas County level 2 and 3 evacuation levels remain unchanged. For the latest evacuation updates, visit the YakimaCountyOEM Facebook page and the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office web page. Please be aware and stay out of fire closure areas due to firefighters moving heavy equipment and finishing up work across the fire area. Air quality information can be found at https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

SIZE: 75,817 acres

CONTAINMENT: 70%

PERSONNEL: 571

CAUSE:  Under Investigation

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews 9

Engines 63

Dozers 6

Skidgines 2

Water Tenders 9

AIRCRAFT:

Helicopters 6

Fixed Wing 2