Doi BAER Crews Begin Emergency Stabilization Work
Incident: So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Reh
Released: 11/8/2007
Press Release-For Immediate Release
Department of Interior BAER Team
November 8, 2007
Crews Begin Emergency Stabilization Work
Crews have begun emergency stabilization work on Department of the Interior lands burned in the Witch, Harris and Poomacha Fires. Hazard tree removal has been ongoing around residences and along roads. Crews have been working on removing floatable debris from stream channels and cleaning out culverts to protect roads on tribal lands. Structure stabilization using sandbags began yesterday on Pauma tribal lands. Structure stabilization will also include using K-rail (concrete highway dividers) to divert water and debris flow away from structures.
The DOI BAER Team is continuing with field assessments on Department of the Interior lands burned in the Witch, Harris and Poomacha Fires, which includes tribal lands on eleven reservations, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands.
The DOI BAER Team has been in place since October 29, 2007. The team represents BIA, BLM, FWS, NPS, BOR and U.S. Forest Service. Disciplines represented include: watershed, wildlife, vegetation, forestry, cultural resources, operations, GIS, environmental compliance, documentation and public information. Following field assessments, the BAER Team will prepare an Emergency Stabilization Plan, due to be completed by late November. Once approved, further treatments will begin as quickly as possible. The local land management agencies will be responsible for treatment implementation and maintenance.
For additional information, please contact the DOI BAER Team Information Officer, Jeanne Klein, at 541-261-3124.
