Even before the fire embers have cooled, Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation teams are on hand to assess short-term emergency needs for areas within the watershed. Loss of vegetation in some areas exposes soils to erosion. In addition, increased runoff can cause flooding and sediments may move downstream, damaging houses, filling reservoirs and putting endangered species and community water supplies at risk.

In the case of the Sanford fire, the Deep Creek drainage was identified as an area in need of emergency treatment and log erosion barriers were installed throughout much of the area. Crews stabilized large logs into the soil, and then backfilled with dirt to help slow down and catch potential run-off. Then, aerial seeding of a quick growing annual grass were used to help vegetate the slopes until native grasses could re-establish.

Although a flood occurred after the emergency efforts, many of the log barriers remained intact, complete with sprouting annual grasses as well as starts of many native plants. As time passes, the BAER team is replaced with a long-term monitoring team, composed of knowledgeable resource personnel that will continue to look at the effects of the Sanford Fire.

Log erosion barriers help slow down the flow of sediment upstream