Thompson Ridge Burn Scar Experiences Monsoon Events

Sulfur Creek Burned Area. Courtesy/NPS

Thompson Ridge BAER Assessment Update:

JEMEZ SPRINGSFor the past few days, the Thompson Ridge burn scar has experienced some monsoon rain events.

The Forest Service’s Jemez Springs Ranger Station and the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) shared these recent observations:

  • Saturday afternoon, July 6, there was some minor sheet flow flooding along the VC02 road in the lower Redondo Canyon (near the west gate), but no flooding was reported in the upper Redondo watershed (Union building and up-canyon) area.
  • Monday afternoon, July 8, Sulphur Creek was dry, as was the History Grove watershed area. Jaramillo and La Jara creeks were a bit muddy, but no reports of flooding as of 2 p.m., Monday afternoon.
  • Also July 8, a VCNP hydrologist captured some video of the run-off from the Santa Rosa Peak area in the northeastern corner of the fire, and the flooding was crossing the VC02 road between Abrigo and Cerro Santa Rosa – a lingering result of the Las Conchas fire and not the Thompson Ridge fire.
  • Redondo Meadows in the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) had some minor flooding – water was running in the road and it looked black and silty.
  • Other streams in the VCNP had heavy flow but no flooding was reported (no recollection of whether ashy or muddy.)
  • Tuesday morning, July 9, San Antonio Creek in the La Cueva area was swollen with dark ash color.
  • The Jemez River, located next to the Jemez Springs Ranger Station, was flowing full, but was not over the river banks, and looked muddy, with just a slight tinge of black.

As Forest Service and VCNP crews return from the field this afternoon, updated information will be posted on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3430/.

The VCNP and the Santa Fe National Forest is working with the Forest Service Regional and Washington offices to finalize the BAER assessment and recommended emergency response measures for funding and approval.

When the final report is approved and funded, a BAER implementation team will coordinate their emergency stabilization treatments with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), local tribal governments, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and Sandoval County, along with other state and local agencies responsible for flood control and assistance to landowners downstream of burned area federal lands.

NRCS is accepting applications for financial assistance from agricultural producers in New Mexico impacted by wildfires of 2011, 2012 and 2013 under the new Burned Lands Initiative. The financial assistance will help address resource concerns on private land through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).

Applications will be accepted through Friday, July 19, 2013, for producers impacted by wildfires such as the Jaroso Fire, Las Conchas Fire, Little Bear Fire, Silver Fire, Thompson Ridge Fire, Track Fire, Tres Lagunas Fire, Wallow Fire and Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire.

Key NRCS conservation practices available for assistance under the Burned Lands Initiative include fencing, troughs and tanks, pipelines, diversions, critical area planting, wildlife management, ponds, forest stand improvement and others that relate to water quality, soil erosion, plant health and wildlife habitat concerns.

For more information on how to apply for financial assistance, contact your local NRCS field office (http://go.usa.gov/jczJ) or visit the NRCS EQIP (http://go.usa.gov/jcuY) or WHIP (http://go.usa.gov/jcuB) pages for more details.

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