U.S. Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have begun conducting soil burn evaluations of the Cotton::wood and Wild Goose Fires to assess risks of flooding and debris flows within the Fishlake National Forest. The assessments follow wildfires that ignited in June and will focus on identifying necessary emergency stabilization measures for the burned landscape.
Assessing Soil Burn Severity
The BAER teams are currently performing rapid evaluations of post-fire conditions to determine the level of risk posed by potential flooding and debris flows to National Forest System lands. According to a July 14, 2026, press release from the U.S. Forest Service, these findings will be used to create soil burn severity reports that outline the extent of damage caused by the June fires.
The primary goal of the BAER emergency stabilization efforts is the protection of human life, safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources. The agency noted that more severe fire effects on the soil increase the likelihood of erosion during subsequent rainstorms, particularly in areas characterized by steep slopes.
Mapping Post-Fire Risks
To map the impact of the Cottonwood and Wild Goose Fires, BAER teams will analyze both satellite imagery and specialist field-gathered data. This process allows the teams to determine how much of the fire's footprint remains unburned or falls into low, moderate, or high soil burn severity categories.
The technical analysis includes producing erosion potential and debris-flow maps as well as modeling post-fire flows. These steps are considered the initial phase in assessing potential watershed impacts, specifically regarding risks from increased sedimentation, mudflows, rockslides, and flooding that could threaten federal values.
Multidisciplinary Scientific Approach
The assessment process involves a multidisciplinary group of scientists and specialists. Each BAER team is composed of hydrologists, soil scientists, botanists, archaeologists, road engineers, and geographic information specialists. These experts collect field data during burned area surveys, which they then analyze through GIS and computer models to present their final findings.
The resulting assessment reports will include specific recommendations for emergency stabilization treatments designed to protect the water quality of streams and wetlands on federal lands.
Interagency Coordination Efforts
The U.S. Forest Service is coordinating the assessment with several federal, tribal, state, and local agencies. This interagency cooperation includes the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Weather Service (NWS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
BAER reports are shared with various partners, including the Interagency Utah Post Wildfire Team and affected counties. These agencies use the data to work alongside downstream private landowners and homeowners, helping them prepare for the potential impacts of post-fire flooding and debris flows.
Ongoing Monitoring
As part of the ongoing monitoring, BAER teams continue to coordinate with local Forest Service units during the assessment of the burned area. This ensures that all threats to critical National Forest System values are identified and addressed through appropriate emergency measures.
