1. This document is contained within the Fire Management Toolbox on Wilderness.net. Since other related resources found in this toolbox may be of interest, you can visit this toolbox by visiting the following URL: http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=toolboxes&sec=fire. All toolboxes are products of the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center.

2. Burned Area Emergency Response Program BAER

3. 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

4. BAER is an EMERGENCY function and should be treated as such by the Incident Commander and the Agency Administrator SO CAL 2003 FLOOD – 16 LIVES LOST FIRE – 6 LIVES LOST

5. 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 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

6. BAER Policy

7. 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) BAER Policies

8. Suppression Rehabilitation Emergency Stabilization Rehabilitation Restoration Program Components

9. Suppression Rehabilitation Emergency Stabilization RehabilitationRestoration Objective:Repair suppression damages Protect life and property Repair damagesLong Term Ecosystem Restoration Damage due to: Suppression activities Post-fire eventsFire Urgency:Before incident closeout 1-12 months1-3 years3 + years ResponsibilityIncident commander Agency Administrator Funding type:Suppression (fire) Emergency Stabilization RehabilitationRegular program PROGRAM COMPONENTS

10. 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).

11. Post-Fire Rehab Responsibilities Incident CommanderAgency Administrator Suppression Rehab Emergency Stabilization Rehab/Restoration

12. Rehab and Restoration module is operational 10 Year Performance Measures, GPRA NFPORS

13. 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

14. BAER TEAMS AND PROCESS

15. 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.

16. BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS

17. 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

18. FIRE INTENSITY MAP AND THREATS

19. POTENTIAL FLOODING & HIGH EROSION

20. WATERSHED TREATMENTS

21. 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?

22. 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.

23. BE FIRE READY 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

24. IMPLEMENTATION LEADER SUPERVISING PROCUREMENT CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION COORDINATION COST ACCOUNTING AMENDMENTS MONITORING REPORTS

25. BAER SCIENCE

26. Why is BAER necessary? FLOODING

27. Fire Effects on Overland Flow Loss of organic matter Decrease in infiltration Loss of raindrop interception

28. Soil Hydrophobicity Less than 1 minute = none 1-3 minutes = low 3-10 minutes = moderate More than 10 minutes = high

29. 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

30. Hydrophobic Soil Ratings Grasses, aspen=low hazard Mixed conifer, Douglas fir=medium hazard Ponderosa, lodgepole, some shrubs=high hazard

31. Rodeo-Chediski Fire

32. Fire Progression

33. BAER TREATMENTS

34. Slope Treatments

35. Raking

36. Channel structures

39. Straw Mulching

41. Aerial Hydromulch

42. Aerial Hydro-Mulching

43. AERIAL SEEDING

44. Seeding

46. Road & Trail Treatments Clean and Maintain Culverts Increase Drainage Efficiency Supplement drainage features along roads and trails Patrol roads during storm season Non-functional overside drain

47. COMMUNITY FLOOD FIGHT

48. Warning Signs

49. 2002 Landsat Image Areas of Major Change 2000 Landsat Image MONITORING

50. 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!” BAER Program SUMMARY

51. WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION Interagency Burned Area Emergency Stabilization Handbook National Interagency Training Sessions US Forest Service BAER Catalog NIFC.gov Website