The Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the US Forest Service have successfully finished field data evaluations for the Dragon Bravo Fire. These evaluations have been used to create a Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map. The map is a critical tool for assessing the damage caused by the fire and for planning future recovery efforts.
The SBS map verifies the accuracy of burn severity categories, which are identified from satellite images. These categories range from unburned or very low severity to high severity. The map helps in predicting post-fire risks and understanding the impact of the fire on the local environment.
Post-fire risks evaluated using the SBS map include potential erosion, sediment washing into streams, increased stream flows, and the likelihood of debris flows. These risks can significantly affect the recovery process and the future health of the affected ecosystems. The SBS map will be instrumental in helping agencies plan and implement recovery strategies in the aftermath of the Dragon Bravo Fire.