BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION & REHABILITATION: SOIL & WATERSHED ASSESSMENTS

Soils and watersheds are two of many resources affected by fire that are evaluated on burned federal lands by the Interagency-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Teams. Fire effects to these resources and potential post-fire conditions and processes may result in adverse community and ecological consequences. The primary purpose for evaluating soils and watersheds is to determine if the fire created emergency watershed conditions. If emergency watershed conditions are found, then the magnitude and scope of the emergency is mapped and described, values at risk are identified, and treatment prescriptions are developed to protect the values at risk. Emergency watershed conditions include both hydrologic and soil factors, potential for flash floods and debris flows, and deterioration of soil condition, particularly loss of soil structure, that can lead to a decline in soil productivity. On occasion loss of vegetative cover may also contribute to wind erosion. Values at risk include human life, property and critical natural and cultural resources. This presentation highlights the objectives and parameters of the BAER soil and watershed assessment.