Reunión comunitaria domingo 19 de enero, 4:00 p. m.

Iglesia Presbiteriana de Westminster - 1757 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104. 

La reunión se llevará a cabo en persona y se transmitirá en vivo por YouTube. Envíe sus preguntas antemano por correo electrónico a 2025.eaton@firenet.gov. Habrá tarjetas de indice disponibles en la puerta para el público. La reunión se transmitirá en vivo en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LosAngelesCountyFD

Situación actual: Las operaciones aéreas continúan apoyando a los bomberos extinguir puntos calientes en terrenos empinados e inaccesibles cerca de Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe y Mt. Wilson. Se anticipan que hoy las operaciones de búsqueda y rescate urbano (USAR) se completaran. La repoblación de residentes está en curso, y las zonas se abrirán en fases para garantizar la seguridad del público. El grupo de infraestructura está evaluando e identificando necesidades para los bomberos y compañías de servicios eléctricos. Los equipos de reparación están centrándose en restaurar y reparar las áreas dañadas. Se están realizando evaluaciones de cuencas hidrográficas para identificar posibles riesgos para la vida, la propiedad y la infraestructura, en particular de peligros como flujos de escombros e inundaciones.

Clima: La influencia marina se irá retirando gradualmente hoy. Se prevé que mañana vuelvan condiciones muy secas con baja humedad relativa y fuertes vientos del noreste. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional predice que se produzcan condiciones de bandera roja desde el lunes por la noche hasta el martes.

Evaluación de daños: Los equipos de inspección de daños han completado inspecciones del 98% de todas las estructuras dentro del área del incendio.

Información sobre recuperación de áreas afectadas: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire/ 

El Centro de Recursos por Desastres estará disponible al público de 9:00 a. m. a 8:00 p. m., todos los días.

Ubicación: Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA

Evacuaciones: Para obtener información de evacuaciones, visite Genasys Protect mediante el sito: https://protect.genasys.com/search  

Evacuaciones continúan debido a la actividad continua de incendios, numerosos árboles caídos, cables eléctricos caídos, fugas de gas y cortes de energía. Si tiene preguntas o necesita una aclaración sobre las evacuaciones en su área, visite el sitio web oficial del gobierno de su ciudad para recibir más información.

Centros de evacuación:   

Pasadena Civic Center - 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 

Estacionamiento en 155 E. Green St. Ingrese por Marengo Ave. The Humane Society estará presente para aceptar mascotas pequeñas para hospedaje. Se permitirán animales de servicio adentro del Pasadena Civic Center

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 

Cuidado de animales: Evacuación de animales pequeños y grandes

Pasadena Humane - 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103 (animales pequeños)

Industry Hills Expo Center - 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744 (animales grandes)

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 (animales pequeños y grandes)

Rescate de animales: Pasadena Humane, (626) 577-3752

Cierre del Bosque Nacional Ángeles: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1222074

El cierre temporal de todo el Bosque Nacional de Angeles y el Monumento Nacional de la Montaña San Gabriel se ha extendido desde el 18 de enero de 2025 a las 12:00 a.m. hasta el viernes 24 de enero de 2025 a las 12:00 de la medianoche. Este cierre está vinculado al peligro de incendio crítico y es para la seguridad pública y la protección de los recursos naturales. Durante este tiempo, se prohíben los siguientes actos dentro del Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles y el Monumento Nacional de las Montañas San Gabriel:

1.Entrar o estar en el Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

2.Estar en cualquier carretera del Sistema Forestal Nacional dentro del Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles.           36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3.Estar en cualquier sendero del Sistema Forestal Nacional dentro del Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Cierres de carreteras locales: https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/

Cierres de carreteras estatales: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Agencias colaboradoras: Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, LA County Public Health, LA County Medical Examiner, Pasadena Water and Power, Metropolitan Water District (five water districts), LA County Department of Public Works, Pasadena Public Health, LA County Mental Health, Disaster Management Area D, California National Guard, Air Quality Management District, FEMA, American Red Cross, CALTRANS, Cal OES, California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Sierra Madre Fire, Arcadia Fire, Monrovia Fire, Monrovia Police Department, JPL Fire Department, LA County Office of Emergency Management, Pasadena Unified School District, LA County Office of Education, LA County Independent School District, LA County Animal Control, además de varias empresas y organizaciones que prestan asistencia (ciudad, condado, policía y servicios públicos).

Location: Eaton Canyon, Pasadena 

Acres Burned: 14,117 

Containment: 73% 

Start Date: January 7, 2025  

Cause: Undetermined   

Structures Threatened: 11,927  

Verified Structures Destroyed: 8,988 

Verified Structures Damaged: 972      

Firefighter Injuries: 7 

Civilian Fatalities: Contact LA County Sheriff’s Department                       

Personnel: 2,703 Water Tenders: 50  Helicopters: 13 Engines: 243  Hand Crews: 43 Dozers: 14

Community Meeting Sunday, January 19th, 4:00 p.m.: Westminster Presbyterian Church - 1757 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104. The meeting will be held in-person and streamed live on YouTube. Please submit your questions in advance via email at 2025.eaton@firenet.gov. Index cards will be available at the door for in-person attendees to write questions. The meeting will be streamed live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LosAngelesCountyFD 

Current Situation: Air Operations continue to support firefighters by extinguishing hot spots in steep, inaccessible terrain near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe, & Mt. Wilson. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations are nearly complete. Infrastructure groups assisted with clearing roadways and storm drains to ensure the safety of both personnel and equipment working throughout the communities along the southern flank of the fire. Fire suppression repair is currently underway, focusing on restoring and repairing infrastructure damaged during firefighting operations. Watershed assessments are being conducted to identify potential risks to life, property, and infrastructure, particularly from hazards like debris flows and flooding. 

Weather: The marine influence will gradually recede through Sunday, leading to critical fire weather Monday afternoon into Tuesday. Very dry conditions with low relative humidity and strong northeast winds are predicted. The National Weather Service has high confidence in Red Flag conditions from Monday evening into Tuesday. 

Damage Assessment: Damage inspection teams have completed inspections for 95% of all structures within the fire perimeter.  

Recovery Information: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire/ 

The Disaster Resource Center will be available to the public 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daily. 

Location: Pasadena City College Community Education Center - 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107

Evacuations: For the most up-to-date evacuation information visit Genasys Protect using the link: https://protect.genasys.com/search 

Evacuations remain in place due to continued fire activity, numerous downed trees, downed power lines, gas leaks and power outages. If you have questions or need specific clarification regarding evacuations in your area, please reach out to your city’s official government website to receive further information.

Evacuation Point(s):   

Pasadena Civic Center - 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 

Parking at 155 E. Green St. Please enter from Marengo Ave. The Humane Society is on-site to accept small pets for boarding. Service animals will be allowed inside the Convention Center. 

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 

Animal Care: Small and Large Animal Evacuation

Pasadena Humane - 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103 (Small Animals) 

Industry Hills Expo Center - 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744 (Large Animals) Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 (Small and Large Animals)

Animal Rescue: 

Pasadena Humane: (626) 577-3752 

Angeles National Forest Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1222074 

The entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through Friday, January 24, 2025, at 12:00 midnight. This closure is tied to critical fire danger. During this time, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument:

1. Going into or being upon the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Local Road Closures: https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/

State Road Closures: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Cooperating Agencies: Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, LA County Public Health, LA County Medical Examiner, Pasadena Water and Power, Metropolitan Water District (five water districts), LA County Department of Public Works, Pasadena Public Health, LA County Mental Health, Disaster Management Area D, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California National Guard, Air Quality Management District, FEMA, American Red Cross, CALTRANS, Cal OES, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Sierra Madre Fire Department, Arcadia Fire Department, Monrovia Fire Department, JPL Fire Department, Monrovia Police Department, LA County Office of Emergency Management, Pasadena Unified School District, LA County Office of Education, LA County Independent School District, and Pasadena Humane, in addition to several assisting companies and organizations (city, county, police, and utility).

Reunión comunitaria virtual viernes, 18 de enero a las 4:00 p.m.: Los funcionarios del incidente Eaton organizarán una reunión comunitaria virtual y darán información sobre el incendio y responderán preguntas. La reunión se transmitirá en vivo en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LosAngelesCountyFD. Luego de la presentación habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas. Envíe sus preguntas al correo electrónico 2025.eaton@firenet.gov.

Reunión comunitaria domingo 19 de enero, 4:00 p. m.

Iglesia Presbiteriana de Westminster - 1757 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104. 

La reunión se llevará a cabo en persona y se transmitirá en vivo por YouTube. Envíe sus preguntas antemano por correo electrónico a 2025.eaton@firenet.gov. Habrá tarjetas de indice disponibles en la puerta para el público. La reunión se transmitirá en vivo en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LosAngelesCountyFD

Situación actual: Las operaciones aéreas continúan apoyando a los bomberos extinguiendo puntos críticos en terrenos empinados e inaccesibles cerca de Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe y Mt. Wilson. Las operaciones de búsqueda y rescate urbano (USAR) están casi terminadas. Los equipos de infraestructura ayudaron a limpiar carreteras y drenajes pluviales para garantizar la seguridad tanto del personal como del equipo que trabaja en las comunidades a lo largo del flanco sur del incendio. Los equipos de reparaciones están centrándose en restaurar y reparar la infraestructura dañada. Se están realizando evaluaciones de cuencas hidrográficas para identificar posibles riesgos para la vida, la propiedad y la infraestructura, en particular de peligros como flujos de escombros e inundaciones.

Clima: La influencia marina disminuirá gradualmente hasta el domingo, lo que provocará un clima crítico de incendios desde el lunes por la tarde hasta el martes. Se pronostican condiciones muy secas con baja humedad relativa y fuertes vientos del noreste. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional tiene gran confianza en las condiciones de Bandera Roja desde el lunes por la noche hasta el martes.

Evaluación de daños: Los equipos de inspección de daños han completado inspecciones del 95% de todas las estructuras dentro del área del incendio.

Información sobre recuperación de áreas afectadas: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire/ 

El Centro de Recursos por Desastres estará disponible al público de 9:00 a. m. a 8:00 p. m., todos los días.

Ubicación: Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA

Evacuaciones: Para obtener información de evacuaciones, visite Genasys Protect mediante el sito: https://protect.genasys.com/search  

Evacuaciones continúan debido a la actividad continua de incendios, numerosos árboles caídos, cables eléctricos caídos, fugas de gas y cortes de energía. Si tiene preguntas o necesita una aclaración sobre las evacuaciones en su área, visite el sitio web oficial del gobierno de su ciudad para recibir más información.

Centros de evacuación:   

Pasadena Civic Center - 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 

Estacionamiento en 155 E. Green St. Ingrese por Marengo Ave. The Humane Society estará presente para aceptar mascotas pequeñas para hospedaje. Se permitirán animales de servicio adentro del Pasadena Civic Center

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 

Cuidado de animales: Evacuación de animales pequeños y grandes

Pasadena Humane - 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103 (animales pequeños)

Industry Hills Expo Center - 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744 (animales grandes)

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3) - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 (animales pequeños y grandes)

Rescate de animales: Pasadena Humane, (626) 577-3752

Cierre del Bosque Nacional Ángeles: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1222074

El cierre temporal de todo el Bosque Nacional de Angeles y el Monumento Nacional de la Montaña San Gabriel se ha extendido desde el 18 de enero de 2025 a las 12:00 a.m. hasta el viernes 24 de enero de 2025 a las 12:00 de la medianoche. Este cierre está vinculado al peligro de incendio crítico y es para la seguridad pública y la protección de los recursos naturales. Durante este tiempo, se prohíben los siguientes actos dentro del Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles y el Monumento Nacional de las Montañas San Gabriel:

1.Entrar o estar en el Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

2.Estar en cualquier carretera del Sistema Forestal Nacional dentro del Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles.           36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3.Estar en cualquier sendero del Sistema Forestal Nacional dentro del Bosque Nacional de los Ángeles. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Cierres de carreteras locales: https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/

Cierres de carreteras estatales: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Agencias colaboradoras: Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, LA County Public Health, LA County Medical Examiner, Pasadena Water and Power, Metropolitan Water District (five water districts), LA County Department of Public Works, Pasadena Public Health, LA County Mental Health, Disaster Management Area D, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California National Guard, Air Quality Management District, FEMA, American Red Cross, CALTRANS, Cal OES, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Sierra Madre Fire Department, Arcadia Fire Department, Monrovia Fire Department, JPL Fire Department, Monrovia Police Department, LA County Office of Emergency Management, Pasadena Unified School District, LA County Office of Education, LA County Independent School District, and Pasadena Humane, además de varias empresas y organizaciones que prestan asistencia (ciudad, condado, policía y servicios públicos).

BAER INFORMATION BRIEF: Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Limitations

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging storm event to meet program objectives.

BAER Objectives:

• Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.
• If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to human life and safety, Forest Service property and other critical natural and cultural resource values.
• Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.
• Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

BAER Interagency Coordination:

Post-fire emergency response is a shared responsibility. There are several Federal, State and local agencies that have emergency response responsibilities or authorities in the post-fire environment. The BAER team coordinates with these agencies to look at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to human life and property. It is important that BAER efforts are communicated with all affected and interested cooperating agencies and organizations regarding other post-fire recovery and restoration efforts.

BAER treatments cannot prevent all of the potential flooding or soil erosion impacts, especially after a wildfire-changed landscape. It is important for the public to stay informed and prepared for potentially dramatic increased run-off events.

One of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination to provide post-fire threat information to local cooperators who can assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners to prepare for rain events. For example, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program for post-emergency assistance on private and tribal land, the National Weather Service (NWS) has responsibility for flood warning alerts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has flood insurance and other responsibilities if the area is a Presidentially-declared emergency, Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) and counties, as well as State and local-highway and emergency services departments, Flood Control authorities, etc. It is important that landowners work directly with NRCS and other agencies to determine appropriate actions needed to protect private structures and other assets.

BAER Process:

BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, botanists, archeologists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe temporary emergency stabilization actions on National Forest System lands to protect the land quickly and effectively. BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Response action timing is essential to ensure the emergency stabilization measures are effective.

There are a variety of emergency stabilization actions that the BAER team can recommend for Forest Service lands such as mulching with agricultural straw or chipped wood to protect soil productivity, increasing road drainage to keep roads and bridges from washing-out during post-fire floods, and early detection rapid response invasive plant treatments to prevent spread of weeds into native plant communities. BAER treatments are preventative in nature but cannot prevent all damage, especially debris torrents in areas that are prone to sliding and have lost critical root structure from plants.

The Cans and Cannots of BAER:

What BAER Can Do:

• Install water or erosion control devices
• Seed or mulch for erosion control or stability reasons
• Install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites
• Install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas
• Install warning signs
• Replace minor safety related facilities, like burned guard rails
• Install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads, trails
• Remove critical safety hazards
• Prevent permanent loss of T&E habitat
• Monitor BAER treatments
• Implement EDRR treatments to minimize the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities

What BAER Cannot Do:

• Prevent all flooding and debris flows
• Replant commercial forests or grass for forage
• Excavate and interpret cultural sites
• Replace burned pasture fences
• Install interpretive signs
• Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
• Repair roads damaged by floods after fire
• Remove all hazard trees
• Replace burned habitat
• Monitor fire effects
• Treat pre-existing noxious weeds

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is forwarded onto the Washington Office.

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/.

BAER INFORMATION BRIEF: Key Elements of A BAER Assessment

Forest Service BAER assessment teams are established by Forest Supervisors before wildfires are fully contained. The teams coordinate and work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), National Weather Service (NWS), local counties, State Department of Transportation, and other federal, state, and local agencies to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds burned from wildland fires.

The BAER assessment teams are evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural-heritage resources, and determine if there are appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow threats.

The BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area.

BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, geologists, biologists, botanists, archeologists, geographic information system mapping specialists, recreation and trails specialists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency response actions to protect the land quickly and effectively.

BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

The BAER assessment team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and watershed response to the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of low/unburned, moderate, and high which corresponds to a projected increase in watershed response.

The BAER team presents these findings and treatment recommendations to the Forest Supervisor in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency stabilization actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural-heritage and critical natural resources on National Forest System lands.

The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire response information, areas of concern for human life, safety and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization actions for federal lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated.

If the BAER assessment team determines there may be potential emergency situations, the short-term goal is to have flood and erosion control protection measures completed before the first large, damaging rain events occur.

Timely implementation is critical if BAER emergency response actions are to be effective.

The BAER assessment team coordinates with other federal and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding.

Federal assistance to private landowners regarding post-fire potential impacts is the primary responsibility of the NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/)

NRCS in coordination with additional state, local and federal agencies conduct damage survey reports for the private land adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas. NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop recommended emergency measures for businesses and private home and landowners to reduce the impacts to their property from potential increased water and debris flows.

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/.

BAER INFORMATION BRIEF: Forest Service BAER Program Overview

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging event to meet program objectives:

BAER Objectives:

- Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.

- If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to health, safety, human life, property, and critical cultural and natural resources.

- Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to critical values resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.

- Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.

- Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase, and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Time is critical if the emergency stabilization measures are to be effective.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within 7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is to the Washington Office.

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/.

BAER INFORMATION BRIEF: Three Phases of Wildfire Recovery

There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands:

- Fire Suppression Repair

- Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)

- Long-Term Recovery and Restoration

• Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

   

• Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flows, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: mulching, seeding, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; prevent the spread of noxious weeds and protect critical cultural resources.

• Long-Term Recovery and Restoration utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat, reforestation, other planting or seeding, monitoring fire effects, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.

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/.

Community Meeting

Sunday, January 19, 2025, 4:00PM (PST)

Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church

1757 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

Eaton Fire officials will host a community meeting to provide a current fire update and address questions. The meeting will be held in-person and streamed live on YouTube. Please submit your questions in advance via email at 2025.eaton@firenet.gov. Index cards will be available at the door for in-person attendees to write questions.

The meeting will be streamed live on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@LosAngelesCountyFD 

This will be the final Horton Fire update, unless significant activity occurs.
Horton Fire Update: January 18, 2025

Acres: 8,346 Containment: 94% Start Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: 107 Fuels: Timber, chaparral
Resources: 1 crew | 5 engines | 1 bulldozer | 1 water tender

Highlights: With the increase in containment and decrease in fire activity, fire officials are downsizing the incident. This will be the final written update on the Horton Fire, unless significant activity were to occur. After today, fire information will no longer be posted throughout the effected communities. Management of the Horton Fire will transition from a Type 3 team to a Type 4 team on Tuesday morning.
 

Operations: Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire until it is fully contained, controlled, and called out. In addition, crews will work on completing the remainder of the suppression repair work throughout the area. Use of heavy equipment on the Forest Service Road 76 is nearing completion.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): The BAER team’s initial assessments show that greater than 99% of the burned area experienced low severity fire effects meaning the soil structure remains intact and that only minimal impacts to fine roots within the soils has occurred. The BAER team will continue to assess and mitigate any potential risks as needed.

Weather: Cool and dry conditions will continue, with slightly higher winds. Visitors are asked to be safe with sparks and flames to help prevent wildfires while conditions remain dry. More information can be found at https://smokeybear.com/

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible as pockets of vegetation burn well within the interior of the fire footprint.

Forest Orders: Forest Order 03-12-00-25-02 is in place to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. To see the latest Forest closure please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=92588
 

Evacuations: On January 10, 2025, all communities returned to the READY evacuation status. The READY stage is continuous and involves preparing for all possible hazards before they strike.

Firewise: Creating “survivable space” around homes is one way to be prepared for future wildfires. For more information on creating a fire wise home surrounded by survivable space visit: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5339207.pdf 

Road Closures: AZ Department of Transportation (ADOT) still has reduced speed limits along the fire effected areas of SR-260 but there are currently no closures. Please slow down for firefighters and apparatuses working on the roads. For current roadway status and conditions visit ADOT at https://www.az511.com/