In the Spotlight

The Gasser BAER team continued to coordinate and work with the following DSE employees: Tony Long, Stephen Deed, Neil Wilson, Donna Mitsch, Sue Berwick, and Rochelle Johnston; PV employee Kevin Cosgriff; and John Constanaro (with DSE and the University of Melbourne).

For the Beechworth–Library Road Fire near the town of Ovens, Gasser BAER team members identified initial issues of concern by discipline:

• Operations—incomplete information is available for total distance of fencing and fire line, making estimations and costing difficult. Local cost per unit estimates pending input.
• GIS—Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) images have come in and preliminary maps are available for discipline review in both Vegetation Mortality and Soil Burn Severity. Fire History can be mapped but time is limited for Fire Ecology analysis.
• Cultural Resources—will be completing documentation of field findings and potential treatments for stabilization and protection. May be in the field for part of Friday 2/20. Located an additional rock art site that will be investigated tomorrow.
• Water/Soil—Field testing demonstrated hydrophobicity in both burned and unburned soils. Expressed concern for three home sites downstream of fire perimeter. Awaiting a CD of information from Natalie Martin, and requested a map delineating 17% or better slope in the analysis area.
• Biodiversity—group has identified at least three species of concern, and will be submitting map request for habitat and vegetation typing.
• Vegetation—expressed concern for areas suffering from repeat burning. Species on the edge of their ranges may have difficulty.

The Gasser BAER team completed the set of issues and specifications to be considered and identified both emergency stabilization and rehabilitation categories. Tony Long (DSE) offered many good recommendations and clarified reasonable goals for the team.

Issues by category:

• Fauna
  • Species under threat
  • Pest animal–plant invasion
• Watershed
  • Threat to life and public safety
  • Threat to infrastructure and property
  • Water quality
• Cultural Resources
  • Suppression impact
  • Protect areas from high erosion potential
  • Protect sites under management actions
• Flora
  • Noxious weeds
  • Suppression impacts on threatened plants
  • Recovery of black cypress pine
  • Altered fire regime of Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs)
• Operations
  • Suppression damage repair

Specifications by category:

• Fauna
  • Monitor fauna species under threat
• Hydrology/Soils
  • Flash flood area signs
  • Stream channel clearing near bridges
  • Table drain (ditch) clearing
  • (R) Riparian improvements
  • Home threat, Barwidgi Creek
  • Water quality monitoring
• Cultural Resources
  • Survey dozer lines
  • Site protection
  • Reduce fuel loading at sites (mechanical)
• Flora
  • Cypress pine exclosure (rabbit)
  • Rare and threatened plant monitoring
  • Noxious weed monitoring
  • Noxious weed treatments
• Operations
  • Fence repair
  • Fire control line repair
  • Safety hazard assessment (mine shafts, etc.)
• Forestry
  • Tree hazard assessment

On Saturday, February 21, Gasser BAER team members continued to gather local data and work with DSE, PV and the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) specialists. The cultural resources group went out to another site that had been impacted by dozer tracks to prepare rehabilitation specifications. Also the Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) was called to assist us with public information regarding the cleaning–out of storm drains, culverts and drainages on private lands. SES specialists prepared a couple brochures for public distribution (www.ses.vic.gov.au/FloodSmart). SES also is tasked with distributing CMA information to the public.

Sunday, February 22, was a National Day of Mourning. Interagency BAER Team Leader, Erv Gasser (National Park Service), Assistant BAER Team Leader, Gavin Lovell (Bureau of Land Management), and John Costenaro (DSE & University of Melbourne) attended the National Day of Mourning in the town of Myrtleford. Erv Gasser met with Bill Sykes, Member of Parliament, a number of the town council members, and some of the local public. During the introduction given by Bill Sykes to the people assembled, Sykes welcomed the Americans that came to assist them in their recovery. The BAER team members met a number of the locals following the ceremony. Later that day, a local business organized a barbeque for Gasser's BAER team which was also attended by a number of the local agency specialists that the team has been working with along with their families.

On Monday, February 23, Gasser's BAER team prepared for their close–out briefing and presentation of their report for the Beechworth–Library Road Fire to local agencies. The close–out briefing was attended by DSE, PV, CMA, and SES representatives and was well–received by agency management. After finalizing their report and producing hard and electronic copies, Gasser's BAER team worked on the logistics for their next assignment such as: accommodations, workspace, equipment, aerial reconnaissance flights, and BARC maps.

On Wednesday, February 25, Gasser's team headed for the town of Alexandra for their next assignment — the Kilmore East-Murrindindi Complex North Fire.

The Napper BAER team continued to coordinate and work with the following DSE employees: Laurie Jeremiah, Neville Penrose, and Daniel Mainville; CFA employees: Shane Mynard, Peter Barr, and Ian Dunbar; PV employees Craig Campbell, and Andy Gilliam; and Gippsland Lakes planning officer Chris Barry.

Napper BAER team members identified two products the team could provide for the post–fire assessment areas of the Churchill–Jeeralang Complex and Delburn fires near the town of Traralgon:

• Methodology and process for assessing post–fire impacts and identifying treatment objectives
• Site specific treatment objectives and potential treatments for private land owners

To provide these products to the local agencies in the short timeframe allotted before the team was scheduled to transition to the Bunyip Fire, Todd Ellsworth (Assistant Team Leader and soil scientist) and Ed Snook (hydrologist) was assigned to complete the field review for the Delburn Fire. Another group, which included Dave Young (soil scientist), Liz Schnackenberg (hydrologist), Jason Pyron (biologist), and Greg Napper (civil engineer), identified the Traralgon watershed which is within the larger Churchill–Jeeralang Complex as a high priority watershed due to the initial BARC map and potential downstream values–at–risk. The Napper BAER team continued to verify the burned soil severity and conducted its initial field reconnaissance.

Napper BAER team members Pete Robichaud (Research Scientist) and Bob Davidson (soil scientist) gathered soil and climate data needed to conduct erosion modeling using the Erosion Risk Management Tool (ERMiT). The team obtained historical weather and climate data was from two local weather stations located at the town Morwell and Olsen Bridge.

An initial identification of landslide hazards within the Churchill–Jeeralang Complex was followed–up by team members Tom Koller (Geologist) and Craig Campbell (Parks Victoria) with an afternoon field assessment. Napper BAER team member appreciate all the time, expertise, and energy that PV employee Craig Campbell has shared with them as they continue the burned area assessment. GIS layers and BARC information was uploaded for analysis by team members.

For the Delburn Fire, the Napper BAER team obtained BARC imagery for that fire area, completed its field review verification, and drafted its initial report. The team modified the report format to be the following outline:

• Fire
  • Resource Condition
  • Methods
• Values–at–Risk
  • Threats to Values at Risk
• Treatment Recommendations
  • Treatment Type
  • Treatment Objective
  • Treatment Description
• Consultations
• References

Napper BAER team members Todd Ellsworth and Ed Snook along with CFA employee Peter Barr, validated the BARC map and walked the Tyrebird trail to assess soil conditions and make recommendations. The BARC map was deemed accurate, it was recognized that small changes could be made at this time but are not necessary given the short timeframes to complete the Delburn Fire assessment. Napper BAER team members appreciate all the information that Peter Barr has provided to the team. Todd Ellsworth continued to work with Peter to finish the assessment and assist him with fire suppression rehabilitation for the Delburn Fire area.

Three teams conducted field review in the Churchill–Jeeralang Complex fire area. Two interdisciplinary teams were divided into the main watershed of interest to complete a thorough assessment of burn soil severity validation, road, bridge, public land assets, and biodiversity values. The third team collected information on burn soil severity conditions for erosion modeling using ERMiT throughout the burned area.

Andrew Marshall from the Bunyip Fire requested a copy of the BARC and BAER team member Jim Schmidt (GIS Specialist) was able to provide the imagery for their use. BAER team leader Carolyn Napper spoke with Mark Lutz regarding also utilizing the BARC imagery.

Napper BAER team reported accomplishments for Friday, February 20 were:

• Obtained 15 way points for soil burn severity to be used in erosion modeling (ERMiT) capturing percent slope, slope length, vegetation type, rock cover, litter cover, and soil texture
• Documented landslides and assessed risk potential
• Identified general road treatments and site specific recommendations

Napper BAER team members identified the following priority items to be reviewed in the field on Saturday, February 21:

• Soil scientists need to meet and discuss the soil burn severity findings so that the watershed response model can be developed
• Pre–identify roads that are high priority and conduct the field assessment of those locations
• Additional work needed to set–up the watershed response model

The Napper BAER team participated in the Churchill–Jeeralang Complex close–out dinner with the Incident Management Team, firefighters, and local agency employees.

On Saturday, February 21, Napper BAER team members divided the remaining areas within the Traralgon Creek watershed and completed their field review. Team members collected additional information on road conditions, soil burn severity, and other potential values–at–risk.

Team member Ed Snook started an analysis of the catchment hydrologic response after initial consultation with Daniel Mainville (DSE Catchment–Water Service Manager). Daniel was able to provide background information on the catchment and provide contact numbers.

Team members Liz Schnackenberg (Hydrologist), Pete Robichaud (Research Scientist), and Tom Koler (Geologist and Economist), encountered a young wombat under distress while completing field work today. The wombats are nocturnal and to find one in the middle of the day was a concern for the three scientists. After collecting GPS data to forward to the animal rescue people Pete poured water into a bowl–shaped piece of wood for the wombat to drink. Liz, Pete and Tom left the youngster to complete their field work. Tom returned to the site to check on the wombat about an hour later. The wombat was gone as well as the water in the "bowl."

The Napper BAER team hosted interim US Ambassador (Charge' D'Affaires) Dan Clune and BAER team leader Carolyn Napper presented maps, photographs of the fire area, and a short overview of the type of work the team does and the team's initial findings.

The team briefed the Charge' D'Affaires in the DSE–Traralgon office and followed–up with a field visit to a representative field site within the Churhill–Jeeralang Complex fire area. Team members (Dave Young, Greg Napper, Liz Schnackenber, and Jason Pyron) explained the types of post–fire conditions and discussed treatment options available. New Yorker Magazine Journalist, Chris Kealley, also participated with the BAER team process overview, initial findings, and field trip along with DSE Fire Communications Officer Jennifer Willis, and BAER team Information Officer Cathleen Thompson.

After the field trip, the team reconvened and met with Rich Schwab (BAER team liaison) and Jim Raudenbush (US Operations liaison) to discuss team logistics and information on the overall fire status. DSE–Traralgon Area Manager Laurie Jeremiah provided an update to the team on the status of the Victoria State fires.

On Sunday, February 22, Monash University professor David Dunkerley provided the Napper BAER team a presentation of Victoria State post–fire area efforts related to water, roads, rainfall records (from 1870's to present), rain events, re–vegetative rates, and catchment water authorities.

On Tuesday, February 24, Assistant BAER team leader Todd Ellsworth and BAER Information Officer Cathleen Thompson coordinated with Region 5 Media Officer John Heil regarding a KCRA Ch3–TV (NBC–Sacramento) telephone interview utilizing BAER team photos, team talking points, and the team's wombat story.

Also on Tuesday, Napper's BAER team prepared for their close–out briefing and presentation of their report for both the Delburn Fire and Churchill–Jeeralang Complex to the local agencies. The team presented a summary of known values–at–risk, threatening processes, identified the potential areas affected, and the potential consequences. Categories for potential values–at–risk included the following:

• Public Life and Safety
• Built Assets
• Catchment Values
• Environmental/Biodiversity Values
• Economic Values

The close–out briefing was attended by DSE, Department of Primary Industries (DPI), PV, CMA, SES, VIC Roads, and Latrobe City representatives and was well–received by agency management. After finalizing their report and producing hard and electronic copies, Napper's team had to work on the logistics for their next assignment (Bunyip Fire near the town of Noojee) such as: accommodations, workspace, equipment, aerial reconnaissance flights, and BARC maps.

Members of the Gasser BAER team include: Erv Gasser, NPS (Team Leader); Gavin Lovell, BLM (Assistant Team Leader); Nora Caplette, BLM; Mike Dolan, BLM; Richard Easterbrook, NPS; Kenneth Griggs, F&WS; Judy Hallisey, USFS; Chuck James, BIA; Lisa Jameson, F&WS; Richard Pyzik, USFS; William Sims, BIA; and Fred VonBonin, BIA.

Members of the Napper BAER team include: Carolyn Napper, USFS (Team Leader); Todd Ellsworth, USFS (Assistant Team Leader); Bob Davidson, USFS; Michael Kellett, USFS; Tom Koler, USFS; Greg Napper, USFS; Jason Pyron, USFS; Pete Robichaud, USFS; Jim Schmitt, USFS; Liz Schnackenber, USFS; Ed Snook, USFS; and Dave Young, USFS.

Both US BAER teams are supported by Rich Schwab, NPS (BAER Team Field Liaison) and Cathleen Thompson, USFS (BAER Team Information Officer).