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Brian McInerneyBrian McInerneyHydrologistHydrologist
AMS Presentation on BAER AMS Presentation on BAER
National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service
October 29th, 2009October 29th, 2009
What is BAER?What is BAER?
Burn Area Emergency ResponseBurn Area Emergency Response
Mud Flow, Debris Flow, LandslideMud Flow, Debris Flow, Landslide
Mud Flow is filled with clays, silt, and other fine grained debris
Debris flow is filled with larger material like boulders, trees
It looks like wet cement Landslides are slow moving
and very deep. Cracking cement, indoor
plaster walls, and shifting landscapes are signs of landslides
Mud Flow is filled with clays, silt, and other fine grained debris
Debris flow is filled with larger material like boulders, trees
It looks like wet cement Landslides are slow moving
and very deep. Cracking cement, indoor
plaster walls, and shifting landscapes are signs of landslides
Why do they form BAER Teams?Why do they form BAER Teams?
BAER TeamsBAER Teams
Determines burn severity Effects on Watershed Identifies vulnerable areas Identifies values at risk Identifies debris flow
potential
Determines burn severity Effects on Watershed Identifies vulnerable areas Identifies values at risk Identifies debris flow
potential
So how does one become a BAER Team member?
So how does one become a BAER Team member?
Seasoned Firefighter New Guy
Let’s ReviewLet’s Review
Seasoned Firefighter
Weather Forecaster
Red Card QualificationRed Card Qualification
Pack Test 45 lbs 3 miles in 45 mns
Old Pack Test Run 2 miles in 20 mns Step Test
Physical fitness is a big deal
It’s important to be able to hike all day
Pack Test 45 lbs 3 miles in 45 mns
Old Pack Test Run 2 miles in 20 mns Step Test
Physical fitness is a big deal
It’s important to be able to hike all day
Fire Behavior Classes RequiredFire Behavior Classes Required
A multitude of fire behavior classes are required
Training sessions are also part of the curriculum
I had experience in fire fighting in a past life Firefighter during the 1986
Yellowstone fire
A multitude of fire behavior classes are required
Training sessions are also part of the curriculum
I had experience in fire fighting in a past life Firefighter during the 1986
Yellowstone fire
So Why is a Weather Service Employee part of a BAER Team?
So Why is a Weather Service Employee part of a BAER Team?
We warn for Debris FlowsWe warn for Debris Flows
The reality of it is that people can die from these events
Debris flows occur often times on alluvial fans
More and more homes are built on alluvial fans
The reality of it is that people can die from these events
Debris flows occur often times on alluvial fans
More and more homes are built on alluvial fans
We Needed To Learn MoreWe Needed To Learn More
What better way than to survey the burn scar with other physical scientists
We can also impart info on rainfall intensities, volume, location and areal extents
We gain insight as to rainfall intensity and volume which produce debris flows
What better way than to survey the burn scar with other physical scientists
We can also impart info on rainfall intensities, volume, location and areal extents
We gain insight as to rainfall intensity and volume which produce debris flows
Recent Debris FlowsRecent Debris Flows
Farmington Debris FlowApril 6th, 2004
Farmington Debris FlowApril 6th, 2004
Debris flow damaged multiple homes On the initial assessment, I was told
that they did not need a weather forecast and told me to go home
No one was injured or hurt Hour lead time on flash flood warning Almost had nervous breakdown
Debris flow damaged multiple homes On the initial assessment, I was told
that they did not need a weather forecast and told me to go home
No one was injured or hurt Hour lead time on flash flood warning Almost had nervous breakdown
Santaquin Debris FlowSeptember 12, 2002
Santaquin Debris FlowSeptember 12, 2002
Debris flow damaged 20 homes with 3 knocked off foundations
Toured burn scar with Utah Geologic Survey Geologists
Learned a great deal about debris flows
Briefed Santaquin City at Town Hall Meeting
Mayor cried at meeting
Debris flow damaged 20 homes with 3 knocked off foundations
Toured burn scar with Utah Geologic Survey Geologists
Learned a great deal about debris flows
Briefed Santaquin City at Town Hall Meeting
Mayor cried at meeting
Spring Lake BurnJuly 26th, 2004
Spring Lake BurnJuly 26th, 2004
Debris flow damaged 2 homes and filled irrigation canal
Escorted visitor to burn site
Shirt was too small Pants too big Woman who lived in
house destroyed was cleaning off furniture with Windex
Debris flow damaged 2 homes and filled irrigation canal
Escorted visitor to burn site
Shirt was too small Pants too big Woman who lived in
house destroyed was cleaning off furniture with Windex
Corner Canyon Debris FlowJune 17th, 2009
Corner Canyon Debris FlowJune 17th, 2009
Debris flow damaged 4 homes with serious damage to one
Worked with BAER team regarding debris flow potential
Hiked watershed and gained a very good understanding of burn severity, intensity, and hydrophobicity.
Briefed 120 members of the community, some of whom thought I was alarmist
Flash Flood Warning with 0 lead time
Debris flow damaged 4 homes with serious damage to one
Worked with BAER team regarding debris flow potential
Hiked watershed and gained a very good understanding of burn severity, intensity, and hydrophobicity.
Briefed 120 members of the community, some of whom thought I was alarmist
Flash Flood Warning with 0 lead time
Corner Canyon Debris FlowCorner Canyon Debris Flow
Drainage Basins
Debris Flow Path
Burn Scar Perimeter
Debris Flow Damage AreaDebris Flow Damage Area
Burn PerimeterDebris Flow Path
Corner Canyon Debris FlowCorner Canyon Debris Flow
Photo compliments of the UGS
Large trench eroded here
USFS Debris Fences here
Area of heaviest rainfall
Antecedent June Rainfall Amounts Prior to Debris Flow Antecedent June Rainfall Amounts Prior to Debris Flow ~400% of normal~3-4 inches of rain
Area That Produced Debris FlowOne Hour Frequency Estimate
Area That Produced Debris FlowOne Hour Frequency Estimate
0.60 inches of rainfall in 1 hour occurs statistically at least once every 2 years or so over this area.
Radar Rainfall Reflectivity Image
Radar Rainfall Reflectivity Image
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Burn Scar
One Hour Precipitation LoopOne Hour Precipitation Loop
Rainfall Analysis of Debris Flow BasinRainfall Analysis of Debris Flow BasinRainfall analysis at origin of Debris Flow
Instantaneous Rainfall Rate of near 0.80 inches per hour at time of debris flow Radar estimate of
0.60 inches
Rainfall Analysis of Basin Just North of Debris FlowRainfall Analysis of Basin Just North of Debris FlowRainfall analysis of basin just to North of Debris Flow
Radar estimate of 1.00 inch
Instantaneous Rainfall Rate of near 2.00 inches per hour at time of debris flow
Mill Flat BurnMill Flat Burn
Near New Harmony, Utah Very steep slopes High Burn Severity High Burn Intensity Areas of Hydrophobicity
Near New Harmony, Utah Very steep slopes High Burn Severity High Burn Intensity Areas of Hydrophobicity
Mill Flat FireMill Flat Fire
Alert Weather Station SurveyAlert Weather Station Survey
Find proper location for Alert Weather Station (RAWS gage)
Line of Sight Radio Transmission
Upper drainage location
Accessible
Find proper location for Alert Weather Station (RAWS gage)
Line of Sight Radio Transmission
Upper drainage location
Accessible
TransectsTransects 10 Steps
Bare Ground Rock Vegetation
At the end of the 10 steps take hydrophobicity test
10 Steps again Bare Grond
Rock Vegetation
Result is a survey of the slope in question
Hike to another drainage and continue the survey
10 Steps Bare Ground Rock Vegetation
At the end of the 10 steps take hydrophobicity test
10 Steps again Bare Grond
Rock Vegetation
Result is a survey of the slope in question
Hike to another drainage and continue the survey
Where Is The Ship Going?Where Is The Ship Going?
After the helicopter flew us to the top of the range, then took off without us, I felt sad
A very long day with 9 hours of surveys, hiking, and climbing
Descend 3000 ft. from summit area to New Harmony
As hard as these things are, it’s the best way to obtain data, and understand
After the helicopter flew us to the top of the range, then took off without us, I felt sad
A very long day with 9 hours of surveys, hiking, and climbing
Descend 3000 ft. from summit area to New Harmony
As hard as these things are, it’s the best way to obtain data, and understand
Thanks EveryoneThanks Everyone
Questions?Questions?
Contact InformationContact Information
Brian McInerney801.971.2033 c
Brian McInerney801.971.2033 c