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RESPONSE TO WILDFIRES
Rapid Assessment and Mitigation of Post-Fire Impacts
After the recent
wildfires (e.g., Carson City, Nevada and San Diego,
California), agencies are interested in conducting a
rapid assessment to mitigate and provide relief for
post-fire impacts. Through the use of new technology and
techniques field data for a post-fire assessment could
be collected more efficiently improving your ability to
make time-critical engineering decisions before and
after winter storms. Huffman & Carpenter Inc. (H&C) has
the expertise and capability to help your agency conduct
a rapid assessment to mitigate against damage inflicted
by fires.
H&C
is equipped with ruggedized personal digital assistants
(PDA) combined with global positioning systems (GPS)
utilizing satellite imagery to produce a thorough
analysis of impacts from the recent wildfire. A ground
based team would combine the use of PDAs equipped with
GPS to gather information on drainage features,
surviving vegetation, hydrophobic soils, burn severity,
receiving waters, infrastructure, and surviving homes.
When required, overflights can be conducted by both
fixed wing planes and helicopters to provide a more
detailed look at the hazard areas. The information
acquired by the technical team would be combined with
the aerial data to ensure a complete site analysis. The
team at H&C includes personnel qualified to produce a
detailed analysis of post-fire imagery locating
post-fire hazards and impacts. The site analysis
produced by H&C can be used to determine priority areas
for mitigation and relief work.
A rapid assessment and detailed site analysis would
result in a focused hazard-mitigation plan that could
incorporate public assistance for maintenance to
drainage facilities. The sites with the highest
post-hazard levels can be tagged as high priority and
specific plans are developed. Once a project plan has
been developed, Huffman & Carpenter, Inc. has the
technical expertise to help you work with the local,
State, and Federal agencies to ensure proper permitting
and provide on-site coordination of hazard mitigation
and relief projects.
Mix
Well Over Open Flame
Much erosion control work is performed in areas that
have been affected by wildfires, and post-fire seeding
calls for special requirements.
Fire rehabilitation projects usually entail native seed
and a non-irrigated site. You basically want to hold the
ash and silt from washing away and let native plants
re-establish. There’s usually less seed in those
projects than there would be in a non-fire revegetation,
but fire sites require a heavier, nontoxic tackifier or
fiber that will work with the silt to get the seed.
A native seed mix, a guar gum, Supertack; and then wood
fiber works well in burn areas. Native seeds require
native conditions. Some seeds do need scarification from
fire or animals, which can be difficult from a
commercial standpoint. For example: A seed can be out
for two years or longer until the right conditions cause
it to germinate.
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