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LESSON OBJECTIVES • Describe the Need for Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER). • Describe BAER Program Components. • Explain the BAER Program Policy and Guidance. • Describe BAER Techniques
SO CAL 2003 BAER is an EMERGENCY function and should be treated as such by the Incident Commander and the Agency Administrator FIRE – 6 LIVES LOST FLOOD – 16 LIVES LOST
BAER PROGRAM OBJECTIVES • To minimize threats to life or property. • To stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources resulting from the effects of a fire. • Mitigate fire suppression damages.
BAER Policies • Forest Service Manual 2500, Chapter 2523 - Emergency Stabilization – Burned Area Emergency Response (5/26/04) • Department of the Interior, Department Manual, Part 620 Chapter 3: Burned Area Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (5/20/04) • Interagency Burned Area Emergency Stabilization Handbook (2006)
Program Components • Suppression Rehabilitation • Emergency Stabilization • Rehabilitation • Restoration
Policy: Emergency Stabilization • BAER is an emergency and plans must be submitted within 7 days from containment. • Emergency stabilization actions must be taken immediately (and no later than 1 year post fire).
Post-Fire Rehab Responsibilities Incident Commander Agency Administrator Emergency Stabilization Suppression Rehab Rehab/Restoration
NFPORS • Rehab and Restoration module is operational • 10 Year Performance Measures, GPRA
BAER Teams NWCG Qualifications • BAER personnel are Technical Specialists. Must have I-100, S-110 and a light fitness level to work independently on fire. • No areas on the fire are safe while it is uncontrolled. • BAER will be incorporated into the Fire Business Management Handbook.
BAER TEAMS AND PROCESS
BAER ASSESSMENT TEAMS • Team activities are an integral part of wildland fire incidents. • The BAER teams report to the agency administrator. The fire incident management team and the BAER team will work cooperatively. • They are supported by the same wildland fire incident mobilization, resource availability, and incident business management procedures as other aspects of the incident. • Agency administrators will support BAER teams with local personnel as needed by the team throughout the planning preparation.
The Process • Complexity Analysis • Size up Fire • Burn Intensity Map • Assess Effects • Threats • Determine Team • Write Ops Plan • Write BAER Plan • Select Implementation Leader • Implement Specs • Monitor and Assess • Submit Reports
Is BAER Funding Appropriate? • Is there an emergency threat to health or safety? • Can treatments be implemented before damage might occur? • Are the treatments environmentally and sociably acceptable? • Is BAER addressed in a management plan? • Do the costs of the treatments correspond to the values at risk?
BAER PLANNING • Emergency stabilization treatments and activities should be compatible with land management plans. • Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation is a component of the Interagency Fire Management Template. • Planning Boiler Plates are available.
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE YOUR AGENCY FOR AN INCIDENT • Organize Geospatial Data, Topographic Quads, Resource Inventory Information • Train Resource Staff in wildland suppression and fire effects to Resource Advisor level • Develop a list of resource personnel that will assist in an emergency (keep list current) • Identify outside sources that possess critical resource information or contractual service capabilities (Universities, Native Plant Societies, Researchers, Contractors) that could assist in an emergency • Red-card qualify resource staff on an annual basis BE FIRE READY
IMPLEMENTATION LEADER • SUPERVISING • PROCUREMENT • CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION • COORDINATION • COST ACCOUNTING • AMENDMENTS • MONITORING • REPORTS
Why is BAER necessary? FLOODING
Fire Effects on Overland Flow • Loss of organic matter • Decrease in infiltration • Loss of raindrop interception
Soil Hydrophobicity • Less than 1 minute = none • 1-3 minutes = low • 3-10 minutes = moderate • More than 10 minutes = high
Qualitative Indicators Fire residence time can be judged by completeness of fuel consumption: • Low = black ashes • Moderate = grey or mixed ashes • High = white or red ashes
Hydrophobic Soil Ratings • Grasses, aspen=low hazard • Mixed conifer, Douglas fir=medium hazard • Ponderosa, lodgepole, some shrubs=high hazard
Road & Trail Treatments Clean and Maintain Culverts Non-functional overside drain Increase Drainage Efficiency • Supplement drainage features along roads and trails • Patrol roads during storm season
2000 Landsat Image Areas of Major Change 2002 Landsat Image MONITORING
SUMMARY BAER Program BAER Mission: • The BAER program addresses short-term post-fire emergency situations with the goal of protecting life, property, and natural and cultural resources. Why do we do BAER? • Post-fire hazards can KILL people and DAMAGE property and resource values. Program Limitations: • BAER is not an opportunity to fix historic problems, expand programs or personnel, or conduct new surveys or long-term restoration. “The EMERGENCY caused by the fire is not over when the flames are out!”
