Burned area emergency response begins on Ranch fire
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – U.S. Forest Service officials announced that the Burned Area Emergency Response, or BAER, team is getting established in Upper Lake to start working on its assessment and recommendations to lessen immediate hazards to public resources from effects of the Ranch fire.
The BAER team is made up of specialists from various disciplines; including hydrologists, soil scientists, geologists, road engineers, ecologists, botanists and archaeologists.
Team members have already started assessing the fire area to address potential risks related to life and property, water quality and critical plant and wildlife habitat.
“I'm glad to have some of the most talented resource specialists here to help us. Team members have a challenge ahead, they have our support and we're grateful they are here,” Upper Lake District Ranger Frank Aebly said.
The purpose of the BAER assessment is to analyze fire effects on soils and watersheds, determine the potential for negative effects, and consider possible treatment options.
The threat to life and property is always the No. 1 concern and is the first focus of the burned area assessment. Forest roads are also a major concern from flooding and rocks falling onto the road bed.
Soil productivity, water quality, and cultural resources are at risk when wildland fires are followed by large storms, particularly during the first and second year after the fire.
The loss of natural vegetative cover allows water to runoff across bare soils with increased velocity. Fire also induces water repellency of varying degrees, reducing water infiltration, and increasing runoff.
The net result under extreme conditions is a loss of soil, a loss of water control, and significant risk of floods and debris flows downstream of the fire.
The Ranch fire started July 27 approximately eight miles northeast of Ukiah. As of Saturday night, it was estimated at 334,770 acres and 76-percent contained. The cause of the fire is being investigated.