Tag Archives: advisory

BAER Update: Aerial application of grass seed to begin on Little Bear fire area… Reply

by • Forest Recovery • Tags: , , , ,

Lincoln County, NM (July 6, 2012) The burned area assessment report has been completed for the Little Bear fire, and all Burned Area Emergency Response treatment recommendations and funding requests submitted to date have been approved.

Aerial application of grass seed will begin during the week of July 8, 2012. Aerial seeding will occur in two or more phases, starting on approximately 12,000 acres of heavily burned lands within Lincoln National Forest. Once the grass seed has been spread by fixed wing aircraft, straw mulch will be placed by helicopter on a portion of those seeded areas where slope and terrain allow.

Aerial seeding in high elevations has been found to be very successful in the Southwestern Region. Straw mulch protects the grass seed and encourages germination by retaining moisture, in addition to providing immediate ground cover on heavily burned areas where vegetation has been lost.

The grass seed mix is certified weed-free and is mostly comprised of annual grass that can germinate in just a few days with moisture. Grass growth slows runoff, reduces erosion and improves water absorption. This treatment is very effective in restoring vegetation and reducing the impacts of runoff on values and property downstream.

BAER work to armor and recondition roads is progressing well. However, repairs to roads will be ongoing throughout the monsoon season as flows produced by heavy rains continue to impact roads in and around the fire area. Culverts are being cleaned and maintained to remove debris. Rolling dips and water bars have been installed on several Forest roads that are frequently used by the public to carry water away and reduce washouts.

Removal of hazard trees is about 90% complete along roads and in areas that are critical to public safety. The toilets in the public restrooms at Forest Service campgrounds have been pumped to prevent them from contaminating the water runoff during heavy rains.

Suppression rehabilitation is nearly complete on 39 miles of dozer line, which is also being treated with grass seed; and on 34 miles of line constructed by hand.

Lincoln National Forest is working alongside numerous agencies and organizations including Lincoln County, Village of Ruidoso, Mescalero Apache Tribe, City of Alamogordo, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), NM Dept. of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Upper Hondo Soil and Water Conservation District, NM Department of Transportation, and NM Environment Department to lessen the impacts from heavy rains and help residents prepare for flooding and debris flows. For more information on services available to residents or for help with treatment on private lands, please visit http://littlebearrecovery.org/ or our InciWeb page at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2926/.

Update on Flood Watch… Reply

by • Alerts • Tags: , , , ,

Lincoln County, NM (July 6, 2012): Increased Water Flows Seen Downstream of Bonito Lake Thursday
1-2 inches of rain fell Thursday in the general vicinity of the Little Bear Fire burn area producing heavy flows of water in some rivers, creeks, streams and canyons. Flooding was seen in Kraut Canyon and some others that are usually dry. A break in the rain over night allowed water to recede from the affected waterways. More rain is expected today and flash flooding is possible. The Lincoln County Watershed Protection & Restoration group is out in force again this morning clearing debris out of affected waterways to minimize the impacts of fire debris compromising critical infrastructure. There have been no reports of injuries or damage to homes. All evacuations were temporary and limited.

First Christian Church on Hull Road has made themselves available to take evacuees if any evacuations are issued today. The Lincoln County Emergency Services will be monitoring waterways as rain starts to fall throughout the county and will notify residents as necessary of any developing hazardous situations

County road crews are clearing flood debris from roads in Sierra Vista, Sun Valley and on Bonito Lake Road. Roads above Bonito Lake and at Monjeau continue to be littered with debris. Bridges throughout the county held well during this rain event.

Residents are being urged to keep an eye on the weather by monitoring NOAA weather radio or http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/ and to be aware of the effects of rain falling upstream. Sustained heavy rain over the burn area can cause an increase in water flow many miles downstream. Water flows coming from the Little Bear Fire burn area will be full of ash and debris making them heavier and more dangerous.

Consider evacuation routes that avoid main roads at the bottoms of canyons which can unexpectedly flood. DO NOT drive through any flooded area. Waters may be full of silt which is extremely slick and can quickly cause loss of traction. You will not be able to see through flood waters carrying ash and debris to determine whether the roadway is intact.

DO NOT drive through any flooded area

Homeowners are being urged to keep culverts on their private property free of debris and to move animals, equipment and anything that could be carried downstream by flood waters to higher ground NOW. Alert systems are in place but you may have only a short time to respond once an evacuation notice is issued. It is the landowners personal responsibility to clear debris from private property.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Upper Hondo Soil and Water Conservation District are teaming up to help landowners restore burned areas and minimize erosion and flooding. Native Grass Seed to cover 1 acre is available free of charge at the Upper Hondo SWCD office in Capitan, 516 W. 1st St. (Hwy 380), 354-2220, across from the Capitan High School. Mulch is also available (as much as you need) at the Capitan UHSWCD office, at the Little Bear Recovery Center on Highway 48 between MM 14 and 15, and at the entrance to The Ranches of Sonterra, Unit 1, Villa Madonna, and Nazarene Church Camp (Bonita Park).
New Mexico State Forestry is now taking orders for Fall delivery of 1 and 2 year old seedlings from their New Mexico Conservation Seedlings program. Native trees and shrubs are available for a very reasonable price. Go to their webpage at www.nmforestry.com to order on line or call 505-476-3325 to have information mailed to you.

Alert: Please be prepared for flash flooding… Reply

by • Alerts • Tags: , ,

Lincoln County, NM (July 5, 2012): Isolated thunderstorms producing lightning and areas of heavy rain are possible this afternoon over Lincoln County. Flash flooding is possible. Residents are being asked to be vigilant if they see or hear of rainfall moving into the area. The County will be issuing evacuations via the Reverse 911-Code Red system to residents within 100 yards of all affected rivers and streams as rain starts to fall. Residents are urged to take every evacuation order seriously and to move to higher ground at the first sign of rising water.

DO NOT WAIT – EVACUATE!

Skies may be clear where you are but rain falling upstream through the areas affected by recent fires may move downstream more rapidly than usual. Water flows coming from the Little Bear Fire burn area will be full of ash and debris making them heavier and more dangerous.

Consider evacuation routes that avoid main roads at the bottoms of canyons which can unexpectedly flood. DO NOT drive through any flooded area. Waters may be full of silt which is extremely slick and can quickly cause loss of traction. You will not be able to see through flood waters carrying ash and debris to determine whether the roadway is intact.

Waters flowing in creeks and streams that is black and full of ash and debris is dangerous and may contain toxic run off from burnt structures upstream. Do not allow your children to play in or near these waters or allow your pets to drink from them. The dark murky waters can disguise other hazards. Please keep children and pets away from creeks, streams and arroyos – even if they are dry.

Homeowners are being urged to keep culverts on their private property free of debris and to move animals, equipment and anything that could be carried downstream by flood waters to higher ground NOW. Alert systems are in place but you may have only a short time to respond once an evacuation notice is issued. The Lincoln County Watershed Protection & Restoration group is clearing debris from drainages in 200 square miles of Lincoln County. It is the landowners personal responsibility to clear debris from private property.

Monitor current weather conditions at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Upper Hondo Soil and Water Conservation District are teaming up to help landowners restore burned areas and minimize erosion and flooding. Native Grass Seed to cover 1 acre is available free of charge at the Upper Hondo SWCD office in Capitan, 516 W. 1st St.  (Hwy 380), 354-2220, across from the Capitan High School.  This seed will have to be covered with mulch and watered. Mulch is also available (as much as you need) at the Capitan UHSWCD office, at the Little Bear Recovery Center on Highway 48 between MM 14 and 15, and at the entrance to The Ranches of Sonterra, Unit 1, Villa Madonna, and Nazarene Church Camp (Bonita Park).

New Mexico State Forestry is now taking orders for Fall delivery of 1 and 2 year old seedlings from their New Mexico Conservation Seedlings program.  Native trees and shrubs are available for a very reasonable price.  Go to their webpage at www.nmforestry.com to order on line or call 505-476-3325 to have information mailed to you.

A Recovery Guide, designed to provide citizens with information regarding various forms of assistance, has been developed and is available at the Little Bear Recovery website (www.littlebearrecovery.org).  The disaster recovery team has set up an information number, 575-258-INFO (4636), that is designed to put citizens in direct contact with an individual who can provide information regarding animal assistance, basic needs, health and wellbeing, insurance assistance, legal assistance, debris removal, and other services that may be needed. This information line will be staffed Monday- Friday 8:00 to 5:00

Recovery and preparedness assistance can also be found at: http://lincolncountyready.com/.

If you are cleaning up a burned structure, you should be aware of the inherent hazards.  Learn how to protect yourself by consulting: www.tpaa.com.au/files/Fire%20Clean-Up%20Summary, http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/returnhomeadvisory.htm, and

http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Disaster/Fire/

Mandatory Boil Water Advisory 3

by • Discussion • Tags: , ,

Please pass this along to those who might not be on line…..

Good morning,

The New Mexico Environment Department’s Drinking water Bureau has issued a mandatory boil water advisory for customers of the three water systems located in the burn area of Ruidoso: Enchanted Forest Water Corporation, Bonita Park Nazarene Conference Center, and Villa Madonna.  The water system customers are advised to use an alternate source of drinking water, such as bottled water, or boil the water for five minutes before drinking, cooking, and dishwashing.

A precautionary boil water advisory remains effective for  the rest of burned area.

Please, let me know if you have any questions regarding the advisory.

Thank you,

Barbara

(505)841-5892