Media Contact: Tammy T. Robinson
(541) 650-2765
https://www.fs.usda.gov/willamette/
Westfir, Ore., Oct. 5, 2022—A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has arrived in Westfir, Ore., to begin their assessment of the Cedar Creek Fire. BAER is an emergency program aimed at managing imminent unacceptable risks to human life and safety, property, and or critical natural and cultural resources from post-wildfire conditions. The fire has covered 120,926 acres to date on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests.
The Team, comprised of U.S. Forest Service employees who specialize in multiple resource areas, is conducting field surveys and using science-based models to rapidly assess watersheds on National Forest System lands, then inventory BAER Critical Values, assess risk and determine the need for emergency measures and treatments on National Forest System lands. The Team will share any areas of concern outside of National Forest System lands with the appropriate federal, state, and county agencies so they can work with individual landowners under their respective authorities.
Team members will closely assess the watersheds for post-fire rain related impacts such as increased flooding, debris flow potential, and increased soil erosion. The Team will evaluate threats and risks and then recommend various emergency response strategies to be completed before the first damaging storm event. Those recommendations are submitted as a proposed emergency response plan for approval. Once approved, the Forest will receive funding to complete emergency response efforts within the fire area.
Treatments will be installed within one year from the date of full containment and may be monitored for up to three years. It is anticipated that the fire assessments will be completed by mid-October with the response plan implemented by the Willamette and Deschutes National Forest Supervisors shortly after.
For more information regarding this BAER assessment, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8434/, or contact Kassidy Kern at [email protected] (541-588-2000).
Tammy Terrell Robinson
Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Willamette National Forest
p: 541-225-6305
c: 541-650-2765
[email protected]
3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D
Springfield, OR 97477
www.fs.fed.us
