BAER Assessment Update – June 16, 2013 A Forest Service BAER assessment team has been assembled to begin their on-the-ground analysis for the recent Thompson Ridge wildfire that burned approximately 24,000 acres on the Valles Caldera National Preserve (www.vallescaldera.gov/). BAER assessment teams are comprised of specialists that are highly experienced in conducting rapid watershed assessments and analyses and may include soil scientists, hydrologists, geologists, biologists, geographic information system specialists, archeologists, botanists, silviculturists, and civil engineers. The BAER team is working for Valles Caldera National Preserve and coordinating with tribal governments, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, counties, cities, and other local agencies in support of their rapid BAER assessment efforts. After the BAER assessment report is finalized, it will be shared with affected local, county, state,...