Waldo Canyon Fire BAER Effectiveness Monitoring

Waldo Canyon Fire BAER Effectiveness Monitoring

The Waldo Canyon Fire burned 18,247 acres on the Pike National Forest between June 23 and July 10, 2012. The fire affected 4 major watersheds in and around Colorado Springs: Fountain Creek, Camp Creek, Douglas Creek, and Monument Creek. Approximately 41% of the area burned (7,586 acres) was classified as low severity burn, 40% (7,286 acres) was classified as moderate severity, and 19% (3,375 acres) was classified as high severity burn. Of the lands burned, approximately 14,422 acres (79%) were located within the National Forest System, 3,678 acres (20%) were on private lands, and 147 acres (<1%) were on Department of Defense lands.

Immediately after the fire, an interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team examined the effects of the fire and risk to life and property. The BAER team coordinated emergency stabilization treatments with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Colorado Department of Transportation, El Paso County, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Weather Service (NWS), City of Manitou Springs, and the City of Colorado Springs along with other agencies responsible for flood control and assistance to landowners. In 2012, immediate BAER treatments included helicopter application of mulch, installation of flash flood warning signs and closures, removal of hazard trees, storm-proofing roads, and noxious weed treatments. Other BAER mitigation and restoration efforts include: trail stabilization, stream channel re-shaping, hand treatments to prevent head cuts, installation of straw wattles, installation of log erosion barriers, improving culvert run outs, stabilizing gullies below culverts, replacing culverts, and construction of below-grade detention basins in priority sub-watersheds.

In the spring of 2014, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) partnered with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) to measure the effectiveness of USFS-led BAER efforts in three sub-watersheds of the Waldo Canyon burn scar: 1) Williams Canyon (Fountain Creek Watershed), 2) Wellington Gulch (Fountain Creek Watershed), and 3) Camp Creek (Camp Creek Watershed). The USFS developed the Level II monitoring protocol, established the monitoring sites, trained RMFI staff and is responsible for data review and analysis. Level II monitoring collects information to confirm overall effectiveness of certain regionally important response actions in meeting BAER objectives, and utilizes more quantitative methodologies designed to address specific issues.

In 2015, RMFI completed 2 years of monitoring. To read the 2014 final report, click here; to read the 2015 final report, click here

Get involved

If you are interested in donating your time to this project or other similar projects, please check our calendar for workday opportunities or contact Calla Balliett, our Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator with any questions: 719-471-7736 ext. 4# or calla@rmfi.org