Public Safety Is First Priority as BAER Treatments Begin
Incident: Little Bear BAER Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation
Released: 6/26/2012
Public Safety is First Priority as BAER Treatments Begin
Ruidoso, NM (June 26, 2012) The US Forest Service BAER assessment team submitted an initial burned area report that has been approved for funding. A considerable amount of burned area assessment has yet to be performed, but the BAER team strategy is to complete the entire assessment in several phases. The team will submit interim reports and requests for funding at several intervals so that projects can continue to be implemented as they are approved and funding becomes available.
Under the approval for this initial burned area report, the following projects will begin this week on National Forest lands within the burn area:
· Warning signs will be purchased and placed in and around the fire area informing residents and travelers of the dangers posed by flooding and runoff during rain events.
· Work will begin to repair roads that were damaged during the fire and reinforce roads to lessen the impacts from increased runoff of water and debris. This road work may include removal or replacement of culverts, installation of water bars, in-sloping and out-sloping to reduce erosion on gravel and dirt roads, grading or resurfacing, and installation of drain dips.
· Removal of severely burned trees that pose a safety hazard along county, state and Forest roads adjacent to Lincoln National Forest lands will begin in areas that are critical to public safety.
For information on programs and services that assist homeowners and businesses affected by the fire, or for flood preparedness information, visit the Little Bear Recovery Team website at http://littlebearrecovery.org/ or contact their public information phone line at (575) 258-INFO (4636).
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