Single Publication

INCIWEB UPDATE

SOUTH FORK AND SALT BAER ASSESSMENTS

JUNE 27, 2024

The South Fork and Salt Fires BAER Team members are working together on a common post-fire rapid assessment process under unified command, with a co-lead each from Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). BAER specialists from BIA and USFS are sharing the same spatial mapping system to collect supplemental data for a remotely sensed soil burn severity (SBS) map on the South Fork Fire, which is expected to be completed within the next week. A similar map for the Salt Fork Fire requires additional data collection, because cloud cover to date obscured collection of satellite imagery. The SBS maps help locate hillslopes most likely to increase post-fire erosion. The SBS is the most important input to a science-based data model that predicts areas and magnitude of downstream flooding. BAER specialists are also collecting input from cooperators to identify potential “critical values at risk” -- specific locations where life, property, or natural or cultural resources are threatened by post-fire flooding and debris flows. All points of concern, whether on federal or non-federal land, are being mapped so that risk can be evaluated by the flood prediction model. 

Although rain over parts of the fire area has been limited to less than an inch, BAER specialists observed evidence of debris flow and soil erosion in severely burned areas within the South Fork Fire. Specialists drove and hiked to observation points and entered burned areas on both Mescalero Apache Reservation and Lincoln National Forest to assess viability of roads and culverts to sustain increased flows and to examine the position of trails, campgrounds, structures, and sites of cultural significance to make preliminary plans for which of these values need protection. Field validation and data collection will continue over the next few days.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/abq/.

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