Post-Fire Activities

TYPES OF BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPRESSION REPAIR EMERGENCY STABILIZATION REHAB RESTORATION Objective: Repair Suppression Damage Protect Life & Property Repair Damages Long-Term Restoration Urgency: Before incident closeout 1-12 months1-3 years3+ years Responsibility: Incident Commander / Agency Admin Agency Admin. Funding: Suppression (Fire) Emergency Stabilization RehabRegular Program

SUPPRESSION REPAIR 4 Actions to repair damage to resources, lands and facilities resulting from suppression action. 4 Actions usually implemented after wildfire containment by the IMT prior to demob. 4 Examples: –Firelines: Waterbar, pull berms, cover w/ brush –Block OHV access on newly opened firelines –Repair fences cut to gain access for suppression –Helispots/Staging Areas/Fire Camps: Rip soil to reduce compaction, seed with native vegetation –Repair campsite markers run over by engines

Fire Suppression Repair Activities 4 AREP/READ is primary contact for IMT suppression repair activities on BLM lands

WATER BARS  Prevent erosion  Break-up Slopes  Prevent Rills & Gullies

Repair of Suppression Damage BEFORE AFTER

SUPPRESSION REPAIR: PLANS/ TIMING / FUNDING  READ will coordinate with IMT (Ops/Plans Sections), or with IC for smaller incidents, to prepare Rehabilitation Plan  Resource Advisor Guide - Appendices J & K have example guidelines & plans  Work usually finished before IMT leaves, or document future work agreement in Rehab plan (Who will complete & When)  Suppression rehab is charged to the Fire Code

From BLM AOP Appendix  Develop written suppression repair plans  Specialized equipment may be needed  In extraordinary circumstances, such as excessively wide dozer lines, excessive slopes, additional efforts may be needed, e.g. providing adequate ground cover  For large fires – IMT’s recommended to assign fire suppression repair specialist (eg. foresters) to work together with BLM resource advisors.

Fire’s out and IMT is Gone, Suppression Rehab is Done… 4 NOW WHAT…? ESR EMERGENCY STABILIZATION AND REHABILITATION

Who Can Help? 4 CA BLM Rehab Coordinator Jim Bowmer- (916) Call when you anticipate doing any ESR requests – coordination needed 4 BAER Teams –DOI National Team –Locally Organized Teams

BEST REFERENCE - BLM ESR TEAMSPACE:

BLM ESR TEAM SPACE 4 Most up to date info on ESR, including: –Policy References –Needed Forms –ES & BAR Templates –NEPA Information –Info on seed warehouse –Rehab references

EMERGENCY STABILIZATION: Protect Life and Property 4 Stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural & cultural resources, 4 Minimize threats to life or property, or 4 Repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources ACTIONS MUST BE TAKEN WITHIN ONE YEAR OF FIRE CONTAINMENT FUNDING: Emergency Stabilization (2821)

TYPES OF “ES” ACTIONS: 4 S1Planning (plan prep, project management) 4 S2Ground Seeding 4 S3Aerial Seeding 4 S4Seedling Planting (shrub/tree) 4 S5Noxious Weeds 4 S6Soil Stabilization (other than seeding, planting) 4 S7Protective Fence/Gate/Cattleguards 4 S8 Road/Trail Water Diversion 4 S9Cultural Protection (stabilization/patrol) 4 S10Tree Hazard Removal 4 S11Facilities/Improvements 4 S12Closures (OHV, livestock, area) 4 S13Monitoring (implementation, effectiveness) 4 S14 Additional Treatments

BURNED AREA REHABILITATION: Repair Damages  Repair or improve wildfire-damaged lands unlikely to recover naturally to management approved conditions, or  Repair or replace minor facilities damaged by wildfire. ACTIONS MUST BE TAKEN WITHIN THREE YEARS OF FIRE CONTAINMENT Funding: Rehabilitation (2881)

TYPES OF “BAR” ACTIONS: R1Planning (plan prep/project management) R2Ground Seeding R3Aerial Seeding R4Seedling Planting (shrub/tree) R5Noxious Weeds R6Soil Stabilization (other than seeding/planting) R7Fence/Cattleguard/Gate R8 Road/Trail Water Diversion R9Cultural Protection (stabilization/patrol) R10Tree Hazard Removal R11Facilities/Improvements R12Closures (OHV, livestock, area) R13Monitoring (implementation, effectiveness) R14Additional Treatments

ESR PROCESS FOR Online Database to Create Plans - ESRS 4 Need a BASS login – see request form 4 Training videos are online: 4 Live Webinar – 5/21/2013 at 0900 –Entering ESR Plans into Database –Link on teamspace page– ESR Training Calendar –Demonstration and other good tips

2013 ESR Priorities 4 WO currently working on direction – will be on ESR team space when final at link: 2013 ES and BAR Planning Considerations 4 Budget: 72% already obligated to FY12 fires 4 Priorities for funding (remaining $4 million): –Threats to human life and safety –Treatments to stabilize sage grouse habitat –Treatments to protect T&E designated critical habitat

SUBMISSION OF ES PLAN: Timelines / Required Documentation Within 7 Days of Fire Containment: Submit Initial ES Plan Use Form Within 21 days of Fire Containment: Submit Complete ES Plan Complete NEPA Analysis – CX, EA or EIS

BURNED AREA REHAB: Timelines / Required Documentation 4 With joint ES/BAR plan, submit together 4 If only submitting BAR Plan, must be submitted in early September 4 NEPA can include Cat X, EA or EIS 4 ESR State leads meet at beginning of FY to prioritize and distribute BAR funds 4 Receive notice of approval/disapproval for BAR funding by October 31

NOXIOUS WEEDS 4 Just because there are no weeds now … Fire suppression equipment may bring weeds in with them 4 Can request funds for Noxious Weed Detection and monitoring 4 If weeds pop up in following years, you can amend ES or BAR plan to request money for treatment

ESR MONITORING REPORTS 4 Must complete Accomplishment Report and Funding Request Form for each FY 4 Complete Close-out Report at end of treatment (3 years usually) 4 Due in early September 4 Forms on ESR Team Space

DO WE NEED A BAER TEAM? 4 Agency Administrator Decision 4 Use of National BAER team is usually limited to large, multi-agency fires 4 See Appendix 3 of BLM ESR Handbook for National BAER Team Dispatch Prioritization Criteria.

BAER TEAM CALLOUT CRITERIA: BLM ESR HANDBOOK – APPENDIX 3