EATON POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY RELEASED

The Forest Service—Angeles National Forest completed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment of the Eaton Fire burn area and affected watersheds to determine their response, soil conditions, potential threats, and recommended BAER emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands. BAER emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned areas during rainstorm events such as: human life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF documents called “Eaton Post-Fire BAER Assessment Summary Report_FINAL PUBLIC”.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act and note emergency alerts issued by Los Angeles County. Current weather and emergency notifications can also be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

Brady Fire Daily Update - February 11, 2025

Notification for Public Health and Safety

Acres: 400                                                                    

Start Date: February 10, 2025

Location: North of Pine Flat on the Bradshaw RD          

Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: 146                                                             

Fuels: Brush and Chaparral

Containment: 0%                                                                                 

Resources: 5 Crews | 15 Engines | 1 Bulldozers 

PRESCOTT, AZ (February 11, 2025) – Today fire crews with the assistance of heavy equipment, where feasible, will continue to make access to the portions of the fire’s perimeter and construct line along the fires edge. The assessment of values at risk and protection efforts needed will resume. With forecasted winds, crews will look for opportunities to slow the fires progression to the north.  Little growth was reported last night as cooler temperatures moderated fire behavior. 

The Brady Fire which started on February 10, 2025, is estimated to be 400 acres and is burning west of Mayer, Arizona near the community of Pine Flats.  As dry fuels continue to consume, smoke will be visible from surrounding communities. 

For the health and safety of firefighters and residents affected, we ask that you please avoid the area around the Brady Fire. Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has closed County Road 177 into Pine Flat. 

Below normal temperatures are forecast for today as an approaching storm brings 15-25 mph gusty winds out of the southwest. No precipitation is expected today, but there is a chance for snow showers on Wednesday afternoon.  

Evacuations are in place for residents of Pine Flat. For current evacuation information and shelter locations please call Yavapai County Sheriff’s at 928-771-3260; for assistance in evacuation call 911.

Firefighters will be using a full suppression strategy to achieve 100 percent containment of the Brady Fire.  The cause of the Brady Fire is under investigation.   

For Brady Fire information please call Ansgar Mitchell, at 928-713-6349 (hours 7AM – 7PM); or following us on Facebook and Twitter.     

Firefighters Respond to the Brady Fire south of Mayer, AZ on the Bradshaw Ranger District 

Notification for Public Health and Safety

PRESCOTT, AZ (February 10, 2025) – This afternoon around 3:00 P.M., resources from Prescott National Forest and AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management responded to a wildfire south of Mayer, Arizona near the community of Pine Flats off Forest Road 67.  The Prescott Hot Shots, several Engines, and a Type 2 crew are on scene and have begun suppression efforts. The Brady fire is estimated to be 400 acres and is burning brush and grass. Smoke can be seen from surrounding communities including Prescott, Chino Valley, Prescott Valley and Crown King. Additional resources have been ordered including air support.

An approaching storm will deliver gusty southwest winds the next couple of days. There is a chance for increased moisture Tuesday to Wednesday; with a possible chance of snow showers on Wednesday, but the forecast is for little to no accumulation.

Firefighters will be using a full suppression strategy to achieve 100 percent containment of the Brady Fire.  The cause of the Brady Fire is under investigation.

For current evacuation information please call Yavapai County Sheriff’s at 928-771-3260; for assistance in evacuation call 911.

For the health and safety of firefighters and residents affected, we ask that you please avoid the area around the Brady Fire.

For information please call Ansgar Mitchell, at 928-713-6349 (hours 7AM – 7PM); or following us on Facebook and Twitter.     

Grand County, Sulphur Ranger District - Week of Feb 11 to Feb 18, 2025

Fire managers are monitoring conditions for additional pile burning in Sulphur Ranger District, with the next possible ignitions window starting on Wednesday, February 12, at the following Grand County location:

Shadow Mountain Village: Hand piles. Located south of Grand Lake along Highway 34 near the Shadow Mountain Picnic Area.

Note: So far this pile burning season, Sulphur Ranger District fire personnel have successfully treated 3700 piles on 91 acres located at the Fair Project, located near Fair Tracts, east of Tabernash and along Water Board Road.

BAER INFORMATION BRIEF: Preparing for Rain after California Wildfires 

POST-FIRE WATERSHED CONDITIONS—KEY MESSAGES

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires cause damage that requires special efforts to prevent problems afterwards.

Summer monsoon thunderstorms and winter rain events in California mountain areas can result in high water runoff and flooding.

Wildfire increases the potential for flooding, post-fire soil erosion and debris flows that could impact campgrounds, fishing areas, homes, structures, roads, and other infrastructure within, adjacent to, and downstream from the burned areas.

Post-fire, watershed conditions will naturally receive and transport water and sediment differently than during pre-fire conditions.

The public and communities adjacent to and downstream from the wildfire areas should expect increased flooding and debris transport during less than average rain events.

SAFETY CONCERNS CONTINUE AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT

The potential for increased water runoff and debris flows are not just a one-year concern.

We recognize the threat potential of flash floods and debris flows may exist for the next several years, depending on the intensity of these storms.

For life and safety concerns, burned area public land closures are sometimes implemented prior to forecast rain events until the burned area fully recovers.

Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads within and downstream from the burned areas.

ASSESSING BURNED WATERSHEDS RESPONSE

Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams work with each of the national forests, to assess the condition of the watersheds on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by wildfires.

BAER assessment teams identify potential emergency threats to BAER critical values that may be considered at-risk on federal lands such as:

• Human life and safety.
• NFS property, such as buildings, water systems and infrastructure, utility systems, road and trail prisms.
• Critical natural resources such as water, soil productivity and hydrologic function, areas where invasive species or noxious weeds may impact native or naturalized communities and may include critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered species.
• Critical cultural and heritage resources such as pre-historic and historic properties and sites.

BAER assessment teams recommend emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal land to reduce potential post-fire threats.

PREPARING FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING AND DEBRIS-FLOWS FROM WILDFIRE BURNED AREAS

For values and resources potentially impacted off federal lands, one of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination with local cooperators who assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners with preparing for rain events.

While multi-agency efforts are being taken to reduce the risks to life and safety adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas, nearby residents should develop individual plans to protect themselves and their property.

The USDA Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work together and coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased water run-off and potential flooding impacts.

NRCS and local sponsors prepare damage survey reports for eligible sites on private lands adjacent to and downstream from affected areas.  NRCS uses these reports, along with the Forest Service BAER team’s assessment report, to develop emergency measures to reduce the impacts from potential increased water and debris flows, and assist local sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program: (NRCS_EWPP_Fact Sheet-2021.pdf (usda.gov)).

All EWP Program–Recovery projects begin with a local sponsor or legal subdivision of state or tribal government. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, conservation districts, or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Interested public and private landowners can apply for EWP Program–Recovery assistance through one of those sponsors. For more information on NRCS Disaster Assistance Programs: Emergency Watershed Protection | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov).

The following links provide information and references for state and local county offices of emergency management promote preparedness through its emergency services programs to assist the public to prepare for, respond appropriately to, and quickly recover from natural emergencies that may impact county residents and visitors:

Flood After Fire--California Toolkit

After the Fire—California Resources

California Current Road Conditions

Cal-Fire—Fire and Resource Assistance

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

California Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT)

Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires may be eligible for flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Information about NFIP is available through FEMA at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, or FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods and www.floodsmart.gov/.

LINKS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND WEBSITES

NRCS California

NRCS Wildfire Disaster Recovery

NRCS Post-Fire Disaster Assistance

NRCS EWP Recovery Assistance

FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk

FEMA Flood After Fire—Fact Sheet

Recovering from Wildfire-Damage Assessments

After the Wildfire Tool Kit

Flood Safety Emergency Preparedness

Be Ready & Prepare for Emergencies

NWS Weather Information—Los Angeles CA

NWS-Los Angeles Facebook

NWS Weather Information—Sacramento CA

NWS-Sacramento Facebook

NWS Post-Wildfire Flash Flood-Debris Flow Guide

NWS-Flood Safety

NWS Burn Scar Flash Flood & Debris Flow Risks

After the Flames Resources

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

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EATON POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT TECHNICAL REPORT RELEASED

The Forest Service—Angeles National Forest completed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment and technical watershed response report for the Eaton burned area and affected watersheds to determine their response, soil conditions, potential threats. The report summarizes the post-fire watershed assessment and expected response.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF documents called “Eaton Post-Fire BAER Assessment Technical Report_FINAL”.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act and note emergency alerts issued by Los Angeles County. Current weather and emergency notifications 

OCHOPEE, FL – Big Cypress National Preserve has issued a temporary trail closure to promote visitor safety during prescribed fire activity beginning Monday, February 10, 2025. Closure includes all areas and trails within the treatment perimeter, as well as potential periodic closures along Loop Rd.  During the closure, all recreational use including off-road vehicles, airboats, hiking, camping, hunting and commercial activities are prohibited in the designated areas. 

Prescribed fire is a carefully planned fire that uses fire science and specific environmental conditions to meet management goals for the preserve. A prescribed fire is one of Big Cypress’s best tools to help create a mosaic of diverse habitats, manage for our endangered species, and reduce the threat of a destructive wildfire.

Please refer to the provided map and area description below, temporary closures include the following areas:

• Periodic Closures along Loop Rd may be possible
• All areas within the perimeter of Phase 1
• Mitchell Landing Campground
• Red Bird Lane
• Red Bird Return
• Z4 Need Name 4
• Z4 Need Name 5
• Z4 Need Name 18

The following adjacent areas will remain open:

• Private lands in the designated area; residents should use caution and notify the Fire Duty Officer of entry by calling 561-923-5228.

Fire personnel anticipate 3-5 days of ignition operations and typically determine an area safe for reentry 2-4 days after ignitions are completed. Big Cypress Fire and Aviation will make a determination after ignitions are complete on when to lift the closure.  The public will be advised of the implementation and subsequent termination of this closure by web alert, and by the posting of signs in the appropriate areas. If a longer closure is required, due to additional fire activity, an additional press release will be issued immediately.

Fuel crews will be burning brush piles near the following fire stations on the Trabuco Ranger District: 

-Temescal Fire Station 

-Silverado Fire Station 

-Corona Fire Station 

Smoke may be seen near surrounding communities.

Cleveland National Forest fuel crews are burning piles off of Sunrise Highway near Red Tailed Roost. Smoke may be seen from Sunrise Highway, the I-8, and surrounding communities.