BAER and the Resource Advisor Or, why are we still here 2 months after the fire was put out?

BAER Definition:  Burned-Area Emergency Response (BAER) –Objective - To determine the need for and to prescribe and implement emergency treatments to minimize threats to life or property or to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources resulting from the effects of a fire.

BAER Definition, cont’d:  BAER does not cover fire suppression or suppression – related rehabilitation.  No long-term restoration  No Private Land treatments

Timeframes  1. Initial requests for funding for a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) should be submitted to the Regional Forester within 7 calendar days after total containment of the fire, unless special arrangements have been negotiated.  2. Regional responses (decisions or referral to Washington Office, Director of Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, and Rare Plants) to BAER requests should be completed within 3 business days of receipt.  3. Washington Office responses to BAER requests should be completed within 3 business days of receipt.

You want it when? (cont’d)  4. Approved treatments should be installed before damaging or degrading events are likely to occur and absolutely no later than 1 year after containment of the fire.  5. Monitoring approved emergency stabilization treatments can occur for up to 3 years (FSM ).  6. Maintenance, repair, or replacement of emergency stabilization treatments can occur for up to 3 years (FSM ).

From FSH , Forest Service Handbook:  “The Team Leader should immediately contact the Resource Advisor and Planning Section Leader of the Incident Command Team for information on problem areas and to coordinate use of helicopters and other equipment to provide rapid field coverage.”

So how does the BAER program interact with fire suppression and Resource Advisors?  BAER team needs local unit contacts, of which READ is often the best!!  BAER team leader meets & coordinates with IC and Plans  BAER team leader meets with Line Officers and designees (potentially READs)  If BAER team has off-unit staff, access & logistics details are a big help

Many fires will not get BAER treatments!  Don’t count on BAER paying for any aspect of suppression rehab, or any follow-up treatments for weeds, etc.

Will BAER treatments be prescribed for the READ’s values at risk?  Is the resource threatened by post-fire hydrology (debris flows/flooding)?  Is there a cost/effective treatment that can diminish flooding or protect the resource?  Can it be implemented quickly, on FS Lands, and be effective on implementation?

BAER focuses on threats associated with high and moderate burn severity

Can the READ make the BAER team’s life easier?  The READ has a chance of reducing fire severity (and post-fire hydrologic response) upslope of VARs by:  Influencing/communicating suppression strategy of home unit  Advocating fuels thinning  Burning out (use with caution).

The Transition – from fire to post-fire  READ may have best knowledge of resources threatened by post-fire conditions, and therefore, potential locations for treatments  READ may prescribe suppression rehab that could conflict with BAER assessment or treatment, or vice-versa – coordination is a good thing!

It’s your headache now (transition cont’d.)  BAER may be able to complement suppression rehab in the years following the fire, since BAER can request supplemental funding for treatments over several years  Financially, BAER & Suppression Rehab must stay separate!!

BAER and the Resource Advisor  BAER Post-Treatment Monitoring involves local unit personnel – READ and others on forest or district often are involved in next year’s effectiveness monitoring.  READ may have to convey district concerns to imported BAER team or implementation leader, as BAER treatments may have unintended consequences.

The End Be safe and keep up the good work!