NEWS RELEASE
Pioneer Fire Recovery and Restoration Update
Three Phases of the Pioneer Fire Recovery Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts from fire... more
Approximate Location
Incident Overview
Incident Overview
Update November 15, 2016 - Most BAER treatments are near completion and what is not finished this winter will be completed in the spring of 2017.
The first BAER assessment, which analyzed 60,000 acres in the south central area of the Pioneer Fire, was approved by the U. S. Forest Service’s Washington Office giving the Boise National Forest authorization to implement immediate, short-term safety and emergency stabilization actions within critical areas within the 188,000 plus acre Fire.
The BAER Team identified a number of priority treatments. Examples include, work to protect infrastructure (i.e., roads and trails) from increased runoff and erosion expected after the fire. These actions will reduce post-fire effects to water quality and bull trout, a listed species under the Endangered Species Act. Reduce the potential for new noxious weed infestations and minimize the spread of existing infestations. Develop protective safety actions such as temporary closures or signage to reduce risks to human life and safety by warning motorists and forest visitors of existing threats while traveling within and downstream of burned areas.
Hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, wildlife and fisheries biologists, archeologists, geographic information specialists, and silviculturists (forestry specialists) make up the BAER Team. Prescribed strategies are applied from their detailed analyses to reduce potential damage on National Forest System lands before the first major storms. Approved treatments must be completed within one year.
BAER Objective
To identify imminent post wildfire threats to critical BAER values on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage unacceptable risks. This program does not provide for repairing damaged or burned property as a result of the fire. (FSM 2523.02)
Burned-Area Emergency Assessment
Conduct rapid evaluations that identify emergency conditions - Threats having Risk(s) to Critical BAER Values - and recommend appropriate actions to reduce risk by mitigating emergency conditions. These assessments do not provide a comprehensive evaluation of all fire or suppression damages, do not evaluate post fire damages after they occur, or identify long term rehabilitation or restoration needs.
Recommended Response Actions/Treatments
Hazard Warning & Resource Protection Signs, Access Barriers for Resource Site Protection, Noxious Weed Controls, Temporary Area & Trail/Road Administrative Closures, Hazard Tree Mitigations, Road Drainage Reconstruction, Trail Drainage Reconstruction, Remove Culverts, Culvert Upgrades, Storm Patrols, Hillslope Stabilization and Access Barriers on Unauthorized Roads.
Critical Values Considered During Burned-Area Emergency Response
CRITICAL BAER VALUES
HUMAN LIFE AND SAFETY
Human life and safety on National Forest System (NFS) lands.
PROPERTY
Buildings, water systems, utility systems, road and trail prisms, dams, wells or other significant investments on NFS lands.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Water used for municipal, domestic, hydropower, or agricultural supply or waters with special Federal or State designations on NFS lands.
Soil productivity and hydrologic function on NFS lands.
Critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered terrestrial, aquatic animal, or plant species on NFS lands.
Native or naturalized communities on NFS lands where invasive species or noxious weeds are absent or present in only minor amounts.
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE RESOURCES
Cultural resources which are listed on or potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, Traditional Cultural Properties, or Indian Sacred Sites on NFS lands.
(reference FSM 2520-2015-1, Exhibit 01)
Basic Information
| Current as of | |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Burned Area Emergency Response |
Current Situation
| Size | 188,404 Acres |
|---|---|
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Thursday November 03rd, 2016 approx. 12:00 PM |
