A synthesis of post-fire road treatments of BAER teams

Foltz, R.B., Robichaud, P.R. January 2011. A synthesis of post-fire road treatments of BAER teams. Stream Notes. 1-5. Fort Collins, CO: Stream Systems Technology Center, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 8 p.

Keywords: Colorado, post-fire assessment, road treatments, BAER

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Abstract: Watersheds with satisfactory hydrologic conditions (greater than 75% of the ground covered with vegetation and litter) and adequate rainfall sustain stream baseflow conditions for much or all of the year and produce little sediment and erosion. Fire consumes accumulated forest floor material and vegetation, altering infiltration by exposing soils to raindrop impact or creating water repellent soil conditions, thus reducing infiltration and consequently increasing runoff. Runoff plot studies show that, when severe fire produces hydrologic conditions that are poor (less than 10% of the ground surface covered with plants and litter), surface runoff can increase more than 70% and erosion can increase by three orders of magnitude (DeBano and others 1998; Robichaud 2005). Roads are one of the most impacted forest infrastructures (fig. 1). In the postfire environment, road drainage features must accommodate flows under these changed and variable conditions to prevent failure (fig. 2). Road structures designed for the unburned forest condition are often unable to accommodate increased runoff, sediment, and debris following fire.

Moscow FSL publication no. 2011n