Description: This polygon feature class represents the BAER Assessment Boundary used by the Burned Area Emergency Assessment Team for the assessment of this fire, which may or may not match the final fire burn boundary. Differences in burn boundaries may occur for many reasons. The boundary used in the assessment most frequently matches the boundary delivered with the imagery classification, which may include area not mapped by the incident team. The Incident may continue to expand after deliver of the classified imagery. These additional areas would be addressed in subsequent interim assessments.
Copyright Text: USDA Forest Service, National Post-Fire Response and National Disaster Recovery Program, Regional and Forest Burned Area Emergency Response
Description: An initial Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) dataset is created by analyzing a differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) image, which was derived from the paired pre- and post-fire images USDA Forest Service, Geospatial Technology and Applications Center, BAER Imagery Support Program. The dNBR attempts to portray the variation in burn severity within a burned area, capturing the combined effects of the fire on the vegetation and soil components of the ecosystem. The preliminary BARC dataset is then assessed, and field validated by a Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team. The Classified BARC image is adjusted and modified, as needed, based on field observations. The resulting product is a Final Soil Burn Severity. Severity Indicators High soil burn severity: Most or all pre-fire ground cover and surface organic matter (litter, duff, and fine roots) is generally consumed, and charring may be visible on larger roots. Soil is often gray, orange, or reddish at the ground surface where large or dense fuels were concentrated and consumed. Soil structure is often altered and less stable at the surface. Moderate soil burn severity: Up to 80 percent of the pre-fire ground cover may be consumed but generally not all of it. There may be potential for recruitment of effective ground cover from scorched needles or leaves remaining in the canopy that will soon fall to the ground. Soil structure is generally unchanged. Low soil burn severity: The ground surface, including any exposed mineral soil, may appear brown or black (lightly charred), and surface organic layers are not completely consumed. The canopy and understory vegetation will likely appear “green.” Very low soil burn severity or Unburned: Little to no burn expected within these areas except in small patches, or where fuels were sparse. Canopy and ground litter almost completely intact. Little to no vegetation mortality expected.
Copyright Text: USDA Forest Service, National Post-Fire Response and National Disaster Recovery Program, Regional and Forest Burned Area Emergency Response