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Brian McInerney

Brian McInerney. National Weather Service. Hydrologist. AMS Presentation on BAER. October 29th, 2009. What is BAER?. Burn Area Emergency Response. Mud Flow, Debris Flow, Landslide. Mud Flow is filled with clays, silt, and other fine grained debris

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Brian McInerney

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  1. Brian McInerney National Weather Service Hydrologist AMS Presentation on BAER October 29th, 2009

  2. What is BAER? Burn Area Emergency Response

  3. Mud 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

  4. Why do they form BAER Teams?

  5. BAER Teams • Determines burn severity • Effects on Watershed • Identifies vulnerable areas • Identifies values at risk • Identifies debris flow potential

  6. So how does one become a BAER Team member?

  7. Seasoned Firefighter New Guy

  8. Let’s Review

  9. Seasoned Firefighter Weather Forecaster

  10. Red 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

  11. Fire 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

  12. So Why is a Weather Service Employee part of a BAER Team?

  13. We 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

  14. We 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

  15. Recent Debris Flows

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Corner Canyon Debris Flow Burn Scar Perimeter Debris Flow Path Drainage Basins

  21. Debris Flow Damage Area Debris Flow Path Burn Perimeter

  22. Corner Canyon Debris Flow Area of heaviest rainfall Large trench eroded here USFS Debris Fences here Photo compliments of the UGS

  23. Antecedent June Rainfall Amounts Prior to Debris Flow ~3-4 inches of rain ~400% of normal

  24. 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.

  25. Radar Rainfall Reflectivity Image Burn Scar

  26. One Hour Precipitation Loop

  27. Rainfall Analysis of Debris Flow Basin Rainfall 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

  28. Rainfall Analysis of Basin Just North of Debris Flow Rainfall analysis of basin just to North of Debris Flow Instantaneous Rainfall Rate of near 2.00 inches per hour at time of debris flow Radar estimate of 1.00 inch

  29. Mill Flat Burn • Near New Harmony, Utah • Very steep slopes • High Burn Severity • High Burn Intensity • Areas of Hydrophobicity

  30. Mill Flat Fire

  31. Alert Weather Station Survey • Find proper location for Alert Weather Station (RAWS gage) • Line of Sight Radio Transmission • Upper drainage location • Accessible

  32. Transects • 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

  33. 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

  34. Thanks Everyone

  35. Questions?

  36. Contact Information Brian McInerney801.971.2033 cbrian.mcinerney@noaa.gov

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