BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE

SALT POST-FIRE BAER
SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED

JULY 2, 2024

Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for the South Fork burned area to produce a soil burned severity (SBS) map.  This map and data display categories of unburned/low, moderate, and high. Approximately 37% of the total 7,688 acres analyzed are either unburned and/or low soil burn severity, while 59% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and only about 4% identified as high soil burn severity.

The BAER assessment team used initial remote sensing imagery with their field validated soils data, to develop and produce a map showing soil burn severity levels for the burned areas The SBS is broken into four different classes: unburned (green), low severity (blue), moderate severity (yellow), and high severity (red). For more information on what these different SBS classifications mean, see BAER Information Brief at: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response - | InciWeb (wildfire.gov).

The BAER team relied on their refined soil burn severity map to produce data which they are using in their subsequent modeling and determination of post fire runoff and sedimentation. The BAER teams and the US Geological Survey (USGS) both utilized the soil burn severity map as an analysis tool to estimate post-fire flows and debris flow probability. In specific areas that experienced moderate to high burn severity, there could be increased runoff from steep hillslopes and resultant increases in post-fire soil erosion and potential debris flows.

The South Fork soil burn severity (SBS) and USGS Debris Flow Hazards maps can be downloaded at the South Fork and Salt BAER InciWeb site: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “Maps” tab.

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/.

Additional resources continue to arrive to support the next phases of the strategic plan. Firefighters continue to evaluate
conditions to ensure strategic firing operations will; burn with low intensity to reduce the ground fuels, protect the integrity of the Middle Creek watershed and other key values at risk, and ensure the fire is within effective containment lines. These actions will continually be reevaluated depending on weather and fuel conditions.

Current Situation
In Division A, firefighters have all the primary indirect lines prepped and ready east of the fire. Crews will complete
constructing indirect line to the north up to the Junkins Fire burn scar.

In Division K, firefighters completed work on the contingency (secondary) line from the fire down to the southeast above
Squirrel Creek. They completed constructing the access line southwest of the filtration plant to the Second Mace Trail.

In Division U, firefighters completed constructing the indirect line along the Second Mace Trail to the dozer line east of the
town of Fairview. Crews will work to complete the dozer line from the Silver Circle Trail up to the Junkins Fire burn scar.
The Contingency group will continue constructing contingency lines on the southeast below the filtration plant and south into
Pueblo Mountain Park.

All structure protection infrastructure in place will be monitored periodically in the Middle Creek area. Crews will finish
structure protection measures in North Creek and Squirrel Creek today. Their primary efforts will shift to the Fairview area and along the Hwy 165 corridor. That work should be done within the next couple of days.

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather will be mild with light winds from the east between 3-8 mph. There’s a
chance of an isolated thunderstorm over the higher terrain.

The U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program is now producing a daily smoke outlook report specific to
south central Colorado and the Oak Ridge Fire. You can read and download the outlook by going to
https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d9fa3c77.

Closures: The Middle Creek Road is closed. The San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests issued
an area, trail and road closure effective June 26, 2024. Go to www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices to read and download the entire order.

Evacuations: The Pueblo County Sheriff’s office announced the mandatory evacuation imposed on the Middle Creek Canyon
Road residents will be lifted, effective Noon today, July 2. Those residents will now be on pre-evacuation status. Those areas
placed on pre-evacuation status will remain on that status at this time. This includes Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue and Beulah Highlands Rd. Go to www.puebloemergency.info for all evacuation information.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a 24-hour Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. If you FLY, we
CAN’T. Do not fly or operate your own drones in this area, as it will impede firefighting efforts and ground our aircraft.

OAK RIDGE FIRE INFORMATION
Fire Information Phoneline: 719-315-1536 Time: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Facebook: @OakRidgeFire2024 Email: 2024.oakridge@firenet.gov
InciWeb: www.inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/copsf-oak-ridge-fire

Fire
The Oak Ridge fire is at 1190 acres with 5 percent
containment. It still remains three miles northwest of
Beulah. Oak Ridge Fire Update

Smoke
We had very minimal fire activity yesterday due to moisture
and continued cloud cover. We will see GOOD air quality in
Beulah area near the fire. The weather forecast for Beulah
shows temperatures increasing with winds out of the east
/southeast today, changing to west/west-northwest later in
the day. Possible afternoon showers and thunderstorms
with gusty winds today. Canyon City, Florence Westcliffe,
Wetmore, Pueblo, and Colorado City areas will have GOOD air
quality today. We will see temperatures increase in the
outlook forecast area with possible afternoon showers and
thunderstorms.

Southwest Area

Incident Management Team

TEAM 5 – David Gesser – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Firefighters fill 18,000 sandbags to support communities

Daily Update, Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214 (8am-6pm)

Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 (7am-10pm)

Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258 (8am-8pm)

Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 (8am-8pm)

Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov

Acres:  South Fork – 17,569; Salt – 7,939

Start Date: June 17, 2024

Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area; Salt – 7 mile west of Mescalero, NM

Personnel: 608

Containment: South Fork – 85%; Salt – 84%

Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper                                             

Resources: The South Fork and Salt fires are currently staffed with 13 crews, 1 helicopter, 21 engines, 
2 bulldozers, and 6 water tenders.

Highlights: The fire area saw clearer skies on Monday, allowing firefighters to focus their efforts on supporting flood mitigation operations on the South Fork fire. In total, hotshots and support crews filled 18,000 sandbags in support of these efforts. Additionally, structure assessment crews have successfully triaged over 4,000 structures across the fire area.

Fire Activity: The South Fork and Salt fires received consistent isolated and scattered precipitation for several days. Thanks to this moisture, hot spots on the South Fork remain suppressed and will remain quiet until a drying trend occurs. Remaining heat sources on the South Fork fire are located interior of control lines and do not post a threat to the perimeter.

On the Salt Fire, firefighters have observed a few hot spots on the southeast corner. Fire within this area will continue to smolder and produce small amounts of localized smoke. Smoke with not impact nearby roadways and heat sources are unlikely to grow, nor do they pose a threat to containment lines. 

Weather: After a calmer weather day on Monday, Tuesday will bring an increase in scattered storm activity. Maintain awareness of changing weather conditions and flash flood warnings. 

Closures: A South Fork Fire Emergency Closure Order was issued on June 20, 2024, for national forest lands within the Smokey Bear Ranger District. The identified areas, and roads and trails therein, are closed to public access to allow firefighting personnel to work and through the fire area safely. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lincoln/alerts-notices/?aid=88199. 

The Mescalero Apache Tribe issued a Class V/Stage II – Extreme Fire Restriction Notice on June 28, 2024. More information is available at https://mescaleroapachetribe.com. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Public/commercial drone flights are also prohibited within this area. If you fly, we may have to ground our air resources. Visit https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html for more information.

More information:

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmmea-south-fork-and-salt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5 

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/430b2c05

Lincoln County Government: www.lincolncountynm.gov

Mescalero Apache Tribe: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com 

Village of Ruidoso: www.ruidoso-nm.gov/south-fork-fire

This will be the final press release about the Boulder View Fire. For more information, follow Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Tonto National Forest or view Inciweb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aza4s-boulder-view-fire 

Highlights: All evacuations were lifted, and communities returned to READY status as of 5 p.m. Sunday. The Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team has assumed command of the Boulder View Fire that is under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Tonto National Forest. Containment of the fire has increased to 80% with the additional containment along the north and west sides of the fire. The total acreage remained the same at 3,711.

Summary: Today, fire crews will reinforce fire lines and work to extend containment around the perimeter of the fire. They will also address hotspots in the Camp Creek drainage area along the southeast corner of the fire. The thicker vegetation holds the heat longer and makes it harder for firefighters to extinguish the smoldering embers.

In addition, crews will patrol and mop-up the interior of the burned area and continue to extend the containment further around the southeast.  Fire crews currently assigned to the Boulder View Fire will be ready to assist the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Tonto National Forest with any new fires as the Fourth of July approaches. 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect across the entire Tonto. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=87844 

Bartlett Dam Road and Horseshoe Dam Road reopened Monday morning. Bartlett and Horseshoe Lake recreation sites are accessible. There is a current closure order for forest roads off Bartlett Dam Road from the Wildcat Fire. Forest Road 20 (Needle Rock Road) and all recreation sites along the Verde River, including Box Bar, Needle Rock Picnic Site and Needle Rock Beach are inaccessible due to fire suppression operations for the Boulder View Fire.To get the most up-to-date information and news about the Tonto, follow them on X @TontoForest and Facebook @TontoNationalForest.  

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve reopened trailheads Monday. For more information, visit https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve

Weather: The forecast shows southwest winds around 5 mph in the afternoon, high temperatures up to 105 degrees. The evening will be clear with west southwest winds around 5 mph. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the highest priority. Please avoid the area while crews conduct fire suppression operations. The public is urged to sign up for the Maricopa County Emergency Notification System. The system allows you to be quickly notified of emergency evacuations. To learn more about the Arizona Emergency Information Network visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

Start Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024

Cause: Human, Under investigation

Location: 5 miles east of Carefree

Acres: 3,711 – Containment: 80%

Personnel Assigned: 168

Evacuation: All residences returned to READY status.

Resources: 3 Handcrews, 11 Engines, 2 Water tenders, and 1 Helicopter

Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aza4s-boulder-view-fire

Twitter: @azstateforestry: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry

Facebook: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management: https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry

Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

INCIWEB UPDATE

SOUTH FORK AND SALT BAER ASSESSMENTS

JULY 1, 2024

The BAER Team finalized and posted maps for South Fork Fire Soil Burn Severity (SBS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Debris Flow Hazards (see maps tab and more information under InciWeb announcements tab). The Salt Fire SBS map is expected to be finalized and posted on July 2. The Watershed Response models (flood hazard maps) for both fires are expected to be completed and posted also on July 2.

BAER specialists are working with the National Weather Service, USGS, and local land managers to install automated rain gauges in key locations around the burned areas to provide an early warning system for downstream residents. They are also developing locations and funding requests for permanent warning signs, and assessing possible treatments that could reduce the amount of future debris flowing downstream. The BAER has now split into two teams of 12 specialists each to finalize respective critical values assessments and consider emergency stabilization treatment options for Tribal and Forest lands. 

Additional information on understanding the BAER program, process and other post-fire information is posted on the South Fork & Salt BAER InciWeb page found at: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov).  

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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This map shows the evacuation areas near the Grapefruit Complex incidents. The map key shows the relevant labels.

Alaska State Troopers have released expanded evacuations along the Elliot Highway Corridor for the fires in the Grapefruit Complex. 

"Go"     Elliott Highway Milepost 30-50 (RED)

"Set"     Elliott Highway Milepost 50-60 (YELLOW)

"Ready" Elliott Highway Milepost 18-30 and 60-70 (GREEN)

There is no road closure per DOT, but expect significant delays and smoke impacts along the road.

Please visit 511.alaska.gov for the latest information on road closures. You can find out more information about the fire at AKfireinfo.com.

Evacuation Map for the Grapefruit Complex, July 1

Mon, 07/01/2024 - 21:25

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Evacuation Map for the Grapefruit Complex, July 1

Grapefruit Complex Update, July 1st, 2024  

Alaska Incident Management Team 3 

Incident Commander- Peter Butteri  

Location: 40 Miles north of Fairbanks 

Complex Acres: 55,411 

Personnel: 140 

Containment: 0%  

An Alaska Complex Incident Management team took command of the Grapefruit Complex of six fires burning along the Elliott Highway south of Livengood. 

Most of the fires have grown under the hot and dry conditions with predicted wind in the area, more growth is expected. There is a chance of cooler, moist weather moving into the area starting on Wednesday. While change in weather will bring moisture, there are predicted weather events that will promote extreme fire behavior before the rains are expected. Expect significant delays on the highway due to an increase of fire activity today and predicted weather events throughout the week.  

The Globe Fire (#253), which was estimated at 12,526 acres, was burning in a mostly easterly direction and farther into the White Mountains. 

The Iver Fire (#249) is estimated at 27,211 acres is expected to grow more to the east today that has a potential to bring the active fires edge closer to the Elliott Highway, the neighborhoods along the highway corridor and the Globe Fire. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline lies between the two fires, with the Iver Fire about 7 miles southwest of where the Globe Fire it crossed the highway at Mile Post 39. 

Crews will continue setting up sprinkler systems and work on structure protection along the Elliott Highway corridor closest to the fires well as scouting for any other values at risk in the area. A dozer line was constructed around a small subdivision on the west side of the highway near 40 mile. A fire break was being constructed around two of the three Native Allotments near the fire. Firefighters will continue to brush out this line, fortify fire breaks, and set up sprinkler systems to wet down properties near the fire. A night shift has also been established to patrol neighborhoods and the highway corridor during the nighttime hours.  

Smoke: Smoke will continue throughout the surrounding communities with wind shifts throughout the day and the smoke also may hamper aerial support for firefighters on the ground. 

The complex also includes: 

• The Eagle Fire (#306) is estimated at 118 acres. It wasn’t immediately threatening any known sites of value. This lightning-caused fire has been burning since late Friday night and has shown significant growth in the past few days. 
• The Wilber Fire (#308) was reported at about 2 p.m. Saturday. It is about 4 miles west of Mile Post 51 and estimated at 77 acres. This fire was showing significant activity in the afternoon and acreage growth is expected.  
• The Noordor Fire (#192) is estimated at 9,068 acres. This lightning-caused fire has been burning on BLM-managed land since June 20th. 

• The Fossil Fire (#115) is not exhibiting any fire activity or smoke but will still be grouped into the complex. It is located in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. 

   

Evacuation:  A GO Evacuation Order is still in place for people within Mile Posts 39-48 of the Elliott Highway.  

Road access:  The section of the Elliott Highway near the Globe Fire is open. Expect significant delays between Mile Posts 25-50 if fire activity increases. Please exercise caution and patience, turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities contracted workers and a pilot car are helping keep the flow of traffic open. Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for road updates.  

Temporary Flight Restriction:  A TFR is in place during the day to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft. 

Closures:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office closed the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area surrounding the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at Mile Post 28 Elliott Highway. The closure is in effect until Sept. 1st, unless the BLM determines the area is safe for public use at an earlier time. 

Fire Information Public Phone: 907-615-6793  

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/BLMAFS Twitter: twitter.com/BLM_AFS   

7_1_24 PIO Map.jpg

Mon, 07/01/2024 - 17:53

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7_1_24 PIO Map.jpg

BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE

SOUTH FORK POST-FIRE USGS
DEBRIS FLOW HAZARDS MAP RELEASED

JULY 1, 2024

The Interagency BAER Assessment Team for the South Fork and Salt Fires coordinated early with US Geological Survey (USGS) staff during its evaluation of the burned areas to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds and debris flow predicted response during damaging storm events. 

“Wildfire can significantly alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. The USGS conducts post-fire debris-flow hazard assessments for select fires in the Western U.S.  We use geospatial data related to basin morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics to estimate the probability and volume of debris flows that may occur in response to a design storm.”

USGS used the BAER team’s soil burn severity (SBS) analysis of the post-fire burned area for the South Fork wildfire to produce debris flow hazard maps. An interactive map on the USGS website (when posted) will show the potential and size of debris flows that may occur from about a 1/4 inch of rainfall over a 15-minute period, and results from more intense rain events, ranging from about 1/2 inch per hour to 2 inches per hour.  This information will also be available online for and size of debris flows that may occur from a range of rain events. When the interactive map is available in about a week from now, you can access it at Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris-Flow Hazards (usgs.gov).

From USGS Fact Sheet 176-97, entitled Debris Flow Hazards in the United States contains information used to interpret the debris flow map and analysis that was incorporated into the BAER assessment team’s anticipated soil erosion and hydrologic response findings.  According to the USGS, “Analysis of data collected from studies of debris flows following wildfires can answer many of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments— what and why, where, when, how big, and how often?” This information is extremely important to assist the public with increasing their safety awareness of the areas where there may be a higher increase in flooding, sediment and soil erosion, and a high probability of debris flows –- all of which are potential risks to human life, safety, and property.

The South Fork soil burn severity (SBS) and USGS debris flow hazards maps can be downloaded at the South Fork and Salt BAER InciWeb site: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “Maps” tab.

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/.

BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE

SOUTH FORK POST-FIRE BAER
SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED

JULY 1, 2024

Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for the South Fork burned area to produce a soil burned severity (SBS) map.  This map and data display categories of unburned/low, moderate, and high. Approximately 34% of the total 17,066 acres analyzed are either unburned and/or low soil burn severity, while 47% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and only about 19% identified as high soil burn severity.

The BAER assessment team used initial remote sensing imagery with their field validated soils data, to develop and produce a map showing soil burn severity levels for the burned areas The SBS is broken into four different classes: unburned (green), low severity (blue), moderate severity (yellow), and high severity (red). For more information on what these different SBS classifications mean, see BAER Information Brief at: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response - | InciWeb (wildfire.gov).

The BAER team relied on their refined soil burn severity map to produce data which they are using in their subsequent modeling and determination of post fire runoff and sedimentation. The BAER teams and the US Geological Survey (USGS) both utilized the soil burn severity map as an analysis tool to estimate post-fire flows and debris flow probability. In specific areas that experienced moderate to high burn severity, there could be increased runoff from steep hillslopes and resultant increases in post-fire soil erosion and potential debris flows.

The South Fork soil burn severity (SBS) and USGS Debris Flow Hazards maps can be downloaded at the South Fork and Salt BAER InciWeb site: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “Maps” tab.

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/.