2016 BAER

2016 Western North Carolina Fire Recovery

The National Forests in North Carolina assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team the end of November 2016, to analyze post-fire condition of burned watersheds and to plan emergency stabilization treatments for the following the western North Carolina wildfires:


- Pinnacle Mountain Fire
- Clear Creek Fire
- Piney Mountain Fire
- Cathy Gap Fire
- Party Rock Fire
- Chestnut Knob Fire
- Dobson Creek Fire
- Rock Mountain Fire
- Horton Fire
- Hwy 151 Fire
- Martin Trace Fire
- Boteler and Nantahala Branch Fires Complexes, which include -

• Camp Branch Fire 
• Maple Springs Fire 
• Tellico Fire 
• Old Roughy Fires 
• Buck Creek Fire 
• Falls Fire 
• Grape Cove Fire 
• Moses Creek Fire 
• Jones Gap Fire 
• Jarrett Knob Fire 
• Wine Spring Fire 
• Mulberry Fire 
• Moss Knob Fire 
• May Branch Fire 
• Boardtree Fire 
• Charley Creek Fire 
• Nick Fire 
• Ridge Gap Fire 
• Ferebee Fire 
• Cliffside Fire 
• Whitewater Fire 
• Howard Gap 
• Knob Fire 
• Muskrat Fire 
• Bullpen Fire 
• Jones Creek Fire 
• Cathey Gap Fire 
• Dick’s Creek Fire 

The BAER team is compiling reports that will identify immediate and emergency actions to address post-fire risks to people, property, and cultural and natural resources. Wildfire can increase the risk of flooding, erosion, and sedimentation in streams. Other potential hazards include debris flow, reduced water quality, invasive plants, or falling trees and rocks. The BAER team report will contain an assessment of watershed pre- and post-fire response, areas of concern, values-at-risk, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization treatments.

BAER emergency treatment objectives may allow for a more efficient passage of water to increase protection from accelerated erosion for infrastructure and watersheds, as well as from the spread of noxious weeds within the burned areas. Controlled access may be established in areas where it is not safe for the public to enter, or in areas that require recovery of natural resources without additional detrimental impacts. Hazard tree and rock slide removal along trails and roads may occur, along with installation of safety and informational signage in hazardous areas.


Storm-proofing for roads and trails may include removing outside berms, installing critical dips, cleaning debris from culverts, and placement of riprap along drainage routes.