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.mcinerney@noaa.gov

Brian McInerney801.971.2033 c

brian.mcinerney@noaa.gov