Post-fire hazards persist in Little Giant Fire area

Back Post-fire hazards remain high after Little Giant Fire Photo is of debris that recently piled up against a Silver Falls Trail bridge after rain in the occurred in the Little Giant Fire area. Agencies urge caution, offer resources The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Chelan County Emergency Management and Cascadia Conservation District are urging residents, landowners and recreationists to stay alert as significant post-fire hazards persist in and downstream of the Little Giant Fire area. Although fire suppression operations are concluding, steep and severely burned terrain continues to pose risks from flooding, debris flows, rockfall, and damaged infrastructure. Risks are especially high in portions of the Entiat River drainage and in portions of the Chiwawa River drainage. “Debris flows move quickly. We encourage people living in our burned areas, or below them, to be on alert for any changes in the weather that may set off a debris flow or flooding,” said Sgt. Jason Reinfeld of Chelan County Emergency Management. “Now is the time to remove any household items or debris from potential flood pathways, channels and culverts. Determine what your evacuation route will be before flooding occurs. People in burn areas will be living under these high-alert conditions for the next few years, or until hillsides stabilize.” Residents and landowners are also encouraged to buy flood insurance, sign up for local emergency alerts and consider purchasing a weather radio. Residents and area visitors should avoid narrow canyons, drainages and areas immediately downstream of recently burned areas during storms. Agencies will update the public as post-fire conditions evolve. Burned Area Assessments and Emergency Response The Forest Service has completed its Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) report for the Little Giant Fire. The report evaluates post-fire watershed conditions and recommends emergency stabilization treatments on National Forest System lands, including closures of some areas to mitigate hazards. The Forest has started implementing the recommendations. The full report and more information on the BAER program are available online. DNR also has released its Wildfire Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team (WALERT) report, which will offer further insight into debris?flow potential and landslide?prone areas. “Together, the BAER and WALERT reports provide comprehensive assessment of burn severity and impacts within the fire area along with downstream hazards from landslides and debris flows,” said Karenth Dworsky, Forest BAER Program coordinator. “This information is shared with local emergency managers and conservation districts to help inform risks and prepare for emergency actions that may be needed following a fire.” “We have significant concerns about potential flooding, mudflows and debris flows downstream of the Little Giant Fire during moderate to heavy rain or rain-on-snow events, especially in the Entiat River drainage,” shared Nancy Calhoun, Post-Fire Debris Flow Program manager for the DNR Washington Geological Survey. Long-term Recovery Together, the agencies emphasize that fire recovery is not a single-season effort. The most dangerous period often begins after the fire is contained, when burned soils lose their ability to absorb water and slopes can fail with little warning. The priority right now is emergency actions to protect life, safety and property. As the most immediate threats pass or are mitigated, agencies will shift focus to longer term recovery efforts. “Post?fire recovery spans multiple jurisdictions, and we’re working closely with our state, county, and conservation district partners to ensure communities understand the risks ahead. Although our authority is limited to National Forest lands, the hazards extend well beyond those boundaries,” said Tara Umphries, Okanogan?Wenatchee Forest Supervisor. “The BAER assessment highlights signific
Source: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/news/article/post-fire-hazards-remain-high-after-little-giant-fire