Record Courier, Kurt Hildebrand, 

Thursday’s thunderstorms reversed some of the damage Mother Nature did by starting the 2,330-acre Monarch Fire two days earlier.

“The fire did receive some rain, but there are still many hotspots” Fire spokeswoman Lisa Herron said Friday.

Firefighters have a line around 70 percent of the Monarch Fire as of Saturday morning.Full containment is expected by Monday as the fire showed minimal activity on Friday, according to the National Interagency Coordination Center situation report issued on Saturday morning.

Better mapping reduced the size of the fire to 2,330 acres as firefighters begin to demobilize to other incidents. As of Saturday morning, there were 183 firefighters in five hand crews and eight engines working on the fire, a decrease of 93 from the peak staffing on Friday. The Monarch fire cost $931,000 to fight, according to federal officials.

The fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday as a smoke plume rose above the Pine Nut Mountains.

There have been no reports of injuries and no homes are threatened.

The fire is burning in high grass, piñon and juniper near the site of the old Preacher Fire.

According to the fire map, it’s burning between Galena Peak and Sugar Loaf near the old Monarch Mine, after which the fire is named.

Responding agencies include East Fork Fire Protection District, Central Lyon, North Lake Tahoe, North Lyon, Story County, Tahoe Douglas and Truckee Meadows Fire Protection Districts, Reno Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service.

A new, 1,000-acre fire burning near the former Aurora ghost town 15 miles east of Bridgeport has attracted some of those resources.

firefighters are racing to contain the fire before gusty winds and low humidity arrive noon Saturday.

Easily a dozen lightning strikes were reported around Douglas County on Thursday, setting two small fires above Johnson Lane. One at Toni Court above Fremont was put out by rain and residents while another at the end of Romero was extinguished by East Fork firefighters.

GARDNERVILLE, Nev., June 27, 2020 – Yesterday, Sierra Front Team 1 and assigned units made good progress on the Monarch Fire burning in the Pine Nut Mountains east of Gardnerville, Nevada. The Monarch Fire was reported at 12:41 p.m. on June 24, 2020, and is burning three miles south of Sierra Spirit Ranch in Douglas County.Pine Nut Road 2 is now open and as of this morning June 27, the fire is approximately 2,330 acres, which is less than the initial report of 2,500 acres due to more accurate mapping. The fire remained quiet overnight allowing firefighters to achieve 70 percent containment.

KOLO Ch. 8 Reno, 
 
 MINDEN, Nev. (KOLO) - UPDATE: June 25, 11:20 A.M. The Monarch Fire in Douglas County is now estimated at 2,500 acres. The fire is also reported at 5% containment.

The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center reports lightning was likely the cause of the fire.

PREVIOUS STORY:

There is a 800-acre fire burning southeast of Gardnerville in Douglas County.

The Monarch Fire is burning in grass and pinyon and juniper, the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center reported. It is burning in the Fish Springs-Pinenut Creek Road area.

It was reported about 12:41 p.m.

Douglas County reported no structures were threatened as of 3:30 p.m.

No roads have been closed at this time. The fire may move east of the Gardnerville and Minden area.
 Agencies responding to the fire include the Bureau of Land Management, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, East Fork Fire District, the U.S. Forest Service and the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Douglas County residents can register their cell phones for reverse 911 calls at this website: https://douglascounty.onthealert.com/Terms/Index/?ReturnUrl=%2f

Douglas County will post updates here: https://www.douglascountynv.gov/cms/One.aspx

The Record Courier, Kurt Hildebrand, khildebrand@recordcourier.com, 
 

IMPORTANT FLOOD MESSAGE AND VIDEO FROM PIMA COUNTY:

Floods can happen anywhere and at any time. But did you know wildfires increase flood risks? It’s true. Wildfires like the Bighorn Fire leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water. Even a light rain can produce devastating flash floods and mudflows, often with little warning. This video was taken Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in the Cañada del Oro Wash on the northern county line following a minor storm:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pimacountyarizona/posts/1988312181301553

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/pimaarizona/status/1283863569314930689

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for the Bighorn Fire burn area to produce a preliminary burned severity map.  This map and data display categories of unburned/low, moderate, and high. Ecosystems mapped in the Catalina Mountains contain approximately 30% rock outcrop which are considered unburned. Approximately 64% of the 119,236 acres is either unburned and/or low burn severity, while 32% sustained a moderate burn severity, and 4% identified as high burn severity.

The low category of soil burn severity indicate that there was only partial consumption of fine fuels and litter coverage still remains, to some extent, on the soil surface.  Residence time at the soil surface in low areas was short, leaving root systems and structure intact.  Recovery time in the low category will vary based on ecological community but is expected to be relatively short.

A moderate category of soil burn severity indicates consumption of litter and fine fuels at the soil surface.  In forested communities, the heat from moderate severity fire will result in water repellant conditions at the mineral soil surface.  The canopy in the moderate forested system is browning and it is expected that trees in this area will drop needles and leaves that can provide some litter cover at the soil surface.  In these systems, recovery can take longer for tree species to reestablish.

The moderate soil burn severity category in lower elevation communities indicates complete consumption of shrub cover that can but does not necessarily result in water repellant conditions at the soil surface.  Several shrub species in the lower elevation communities do root crown after fire and recovery time will be variable. Moderate soil burn severity category in the lower elevation shrub communities that did not express water repellant behavior can still result in a runoff potential category of high as a result of the soils inherent qualities and the removal of effective vegetative cover.

A high soil burn severity category is the result of higher intensity fire behavior or longer residence time at the soil surface.  This category is found in forested or dense Woodland communities and the litter and fuels, including an overstory canopy, was consumed.  The soil structure is weakened, roots are charred, and water repellant soil conditions persist through the upper horizon of mineral soil.  Recovery time in the conifer systems can be significant.

The Bighorn BAER assessment team used initial remote sensing imagery with their initial soil burn severity data, along with other soils data, plus Aspen Fire BAER data to develop and produce a map showing runoff potential and a preliminary burn severity map. This runoff data and map were released on July 1, 2020.  The BAER team and the US Geological Survey (USGS) both utilized the runoff potential map as an analysis tool to estimate post fire flows and debris flow probability. 

The BAER team relied on their refined burn severity map to produce an updated runoff potential map and data which they used in their subsequent modeling and determination of post fire runoff and sedimentation.  This further analysis was deemed necessary to capture likely magnitude of runoff events given that the area of re-burn within this fire was substantial and soil burn severity alone is likely to underestimate runoff events.

BAER Team Leader Greg Kuyumjian said, “The BAER team is projecting increased erosion and runoff within the Bighorn Fire area as a result of the increased area of high runoff potential, where 36% of the burned area experienced moderate or high soil burn severity.  In specific areas that experienced moderate to high burn severity with much higher runoff potential, there could be concern for runoff from steep hillslopes and resultant increases in post-fire soil erosion and potential debris flows.  When you add these post-fire changed conditions to the pre-fire conditions that have a high proportion of high runoff due to the amount of rock outcrop, the cumulative effect may double the output of potential runoff and debris flows.  The BAER Team favored using the potential runoff product as it provides a more realistic depiction of post-fire conditions relating to runoff and sediment delivery.”

The Bighorn Fire updated runoff potential map along with the preliminary burn severity map can be downloaded at the interagency “2020 Coronado BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6796/) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “maps” tab.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/twc/.

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team continues to gather information and analyze data for the area burned by the Bighorn Fire; however, it is certain that watershed conditions changed as a result of the fire.

It is common for watersheds draining the Santa Catalina Mountains to experience flooding during the monsoon season, even without the loss of vegetative cover from fire.  The terrain is steep and rocky and sheds water easily. 

To prepare for the potential increase in runoff and flooding that could occur after the Bighorn wildfire, the Coronado National Forest (CNF) recently received funding from the Forest Service Southwestern Regional Office to install emergency stabilization measures to reduce potential impacts to life and safety on National Forest System lands.

Attached to this article (see below for three documents in PDF format) are three documents that describe Forest Service regulation and policy direction for its Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program that is found in FSM 2520 manual directive and two memos issued to the field from its Washington and Southwest Region offices.

 PREPARING FOR RAINSTORMS

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

Post-fire watershed conditions will naturally receive and transport water and sediment differently than during pre-fire conditions.  Monsoonal storms bring heavy rain and rapid runoff from burned areas.  Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads and trails within and downstream from the burned areas on the Coronado National Forest.

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is working with the Coronado National Forest to assess the post fire conditions of the watersheds on federal land that were burned in the Bighorn and Emigrant fires. The BAER assessment team identifies potential emergency threats to critical values-at-risk and recommends emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal lands to reduce potential threats. 

For values and resources potentially impacted off National Forest System lands, one of the most effective BAER strategies is its interagency coordination with local cooperators who assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners prepare for rain events.  The Forest Service and 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 run-off and potential flooding.

Federal assistance to private landowners is administered by NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/).  NRCS and the Resource Conservation Districts work with local governments (sponsors) to implement emergency measures in the wake of natural disasters to safeguard human lives, property, and natural resources. 

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 BAER team’s assessment report, to develop emergency measures to reduce the impacts from potential increased water and debris flows, and assist sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

Multiple agencies work with BAER teams and look at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to human life and safety, and property; however, BAER emergency stabilization actions on federal lands cannot prevent all of the potential flooding or soil erosion impacts, especially after wildfires change the landscape.

It is important that residents take steps to protect themselves and their property from flooding and debris flows:

- For their safety, communities need to monitor local weather reports and public safety bulletins, local road closures, emergency notifications, weather alerts, follow local county and city advisories, and act accordingly.

- Use a “weather radio” or smart phone “weather app” that monitors “all hazards” alerts issued by the NOAA-National Weather Service (www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/).

- Prepare for rainstorms by being prepared to evacuate if county or city emergency officials determine that flooding and debris flows are expected which could pose an increased threat to human life, safety, and property. Practice evacuations prior to real events.

- Know and be alert to environmental signs of dangerous weather conditions and be prepared to take action that can save lives.

- Understand that all drainages within and downstream of burned areas can produce flash flooding.

- If you find yourself in a flood, climb to safety (seek higher ground).

- Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don’t try it by vehicle or foot. Water hides dips in the road – worse yet, there may be no road left under the water as flooding can scour away the entire road surface and ground beneath the road.

Interagency Resources for Flood and Storm Preparedness and Emergency Information

Local Counties

The following local County Offices of Emergency Services and 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:

• Pima County Office of Emergency Management
• Pima County Regional Flood Control District
• Pima County Floods Follow Fires
• Pima County Emergency Alerts
• Pinal County Emergency Management
• Pinal County Flood Control District
• Pinal Emergency Notification System

State Agencies

The Arizona Division of Emergency Management provides information about emergency preparedness, flood and storm preparation:

§  Arizona Department of Emergency Management

§  Arizona Emergency Information Network

Other Federal Agencies

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) coordinates its Emergency Management program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local governments to provide engineering services to respond to national and natural disasters in order to minimize damages and help in recovery efforts. Public Law 84-99 enables the Corps to assist state and local authorities in flood fight activities and cost share in the repair of flood protection structures. Public Law 93-288 authorizes FEMA to task the Corps with disaster recovery missions under the Federal Response Plan: www.usace.army.mil/Missions/EmergencyOperations/NationalResponseFramework/FloodControl.aspx.

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/wildfires-you-need-flood-insurance or www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods at www.floodsmart.gov/.

The NOAA National Weather Service-Tucson office has created a website featuring information about flash flooding and debris flows, precipitation forecast, and a fire information dashboard for the Bighorn Fire, and is located at: www.weather.gov/twc/bighorn-burn-scar.

EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT OF POST-FIRE DEBRIS FLOW HAZARDS

The Forest Service (USFS) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team coordinated early with US Geological Survey (USGS) staff during its evaluation of the Bighorn Fire burned area to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds and predicted debris flow response during damaging storm events.

From the USGS website found at https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/:

“Wildfire can significantly alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. The USGS conducts post-fire debris-flow hazard assessments for select fires in the Western U.S.  We use geospatial data related to basin morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics to estimate the probability and volume of debris flows that may occur in response to a design storm.”

USGS used the BAER team’s runoff potential analysis of the area burned by the Bighorn Fire to estimate post-fire debris-flow hazards, including the likelihood, potential magnitude, and rainfall threshold.  The USGS Bighorn Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazard Assessment estimates convey these hazards for the Bighorn burn area as of the morning of June 28, 2020.  Results will be updated as the fire expands, new satellite imagery is acquired, and the BAER team updates their runoff potential map.  The interactive map on the USGS website shows the likelihood, potential magnitude, and combined hazard of debris flows that may occur from about a 1/4 inch of rainfall over a 15-minute period.  Results from more intense rain events, ranging from about 1/2 inch per hour to 2 inches per hour, are also available as downloadable data from the USGS website.  The online interactive map is posted at: https://landslides.usgs.gov/hazards/postfire_debrisflow/detail.php?objectid=281.

USGS Fact Sheet 176-97, entitled “Debris Flow Hazards in the United States” contains information used to interpret the debris flow map and analysis that was incorporated into the BAER assessment team’s anticipated soil erosion and hydrologic response findings.  According to the USGS, “Analysis of data collected from studies of debris flows following wildfires can answer many of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments— what and why, where, when, how big, and how often?”  This information is extremely important in assisting the public in increasing their awareness of the areas where there may be a higher increase in flooding, sediment and soil erosion, and a high probability of debris flows –- all of which are potential risks to human life, safety, and property.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/twc/.