Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team Begins Assessment for South Fork and Salt Fires

The Village of Ruidoso, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and USDA Forest Service, hosted an in-briefing for the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment concerning the South Fork and Salt Fires. The meeting saw a turnout of 55 attendees, including BAER leads, agency administrators from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the USDA Forest Service (USFS), as well as tribal and local community leaders. The session highlighted the commitment to a collaborative process for identifying critical values at risk of post-fire damage.

BAER specialists have already begun their ground assessments, focusing on the Salt Fire burned area and evaluating downstream impacts. Additionally, input was gathered at the Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center regarding other areas of concern. Although cloud cover is currently hindering the collection of satellite imagery needed for a comprehensive soil burn severity map, specialists are utilizing alternative methods and ground-truthing remotely sensed data to create an accurate map.

The BAER assessment team now comprises 24 specialists and support staff, with equal representation from the BIA and USFS. While some team members are still en route and others are working remotely with data, their collective efforts aim to ensure a thorough and precise assessment.

We will continue to provide daily updates on our progress until the assessment is completed. Your feedback and input are invaluable, so please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or areas of concern via the Village Emergency Operations Center at 575-258-6900.

For more information, please contact the BAER team through the provided communication channels. Thank you for your continued support and engagement in this crucial recovery process.

Find BAER online: bia.gov/oem Email:BIA_OEM@bia.gov