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Blue Cut Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Summary
BLUE CUT POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY FS-2500-8 Burned-Area Report: Watershed Analysis, Condition, and Response The Blue Cut Fire began on August 16, 2016, in the. more

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San Bernardino NF BAER Team Begins Blue Cut Post-Fire Assessment

An interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team was established by the San Bernardino National Forest to begin its burned area survey of the Blue Cut Fire that recently burned on federal and private lands. BAER team surveys are rapid assessments of the burned area that evaluate the burned watersheds and determine the potential for increased post-fire flooding, sediment flows, and rock slides.

Interagency BAER teams consist of scientists and specialists including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, wildlife and fisheries biologists, archeologists, geographic information specialists, and silviculturists from federal and state agencies. BAER teams work together during the burned area surveys, field data analysis and modeling phase, to present findings along with recommended BAER treatments to the Forest Supervisor.

BAER teams analyze the data they collect during the surveys, to produce a “Soil Burn Severity” map. This is the first step in assessing potential watershed impacts from wildfires to any downstream values that may be at-risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows, and rock slides. BAER teams produce a report that includes a description of the assessment and findings for the burned area’s post-fire conditions along with recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions. BAER emergency stabilization efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resource values such as the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams.

BAER reports are also shared with interagency cooperators who work with downstream private home and land owners to prepare for potential post-fire flooding and sediment flow impacts.