On July 13, 2021, the Dixie Fire in California ignited and went on to burn nearly one million acres. On August 1, 2021, Trihydro was engaged by a public utility to provide stormwater compliance and best management practices (BMP) support for emergency utility restoration work.
The project required developing, deploying, monitoring, and maintaining appropriate water quality protection measures to help protect sensitive habitats. The project helped reduce the risk of further damage associated with erosion by stabilizing barren land surfaces that were disturbed as a result of utility restoration work and removing fire-damaged trees
To mitigate water quality impacts from the wildfire, Trihydro identified high-risk areas and prioritized activities based on risk level and location. Trihydro coordinated with stakeholders to remain in lockstep regarding project scope, deployed field teams in designated geographic areas to identify restoration areas, implemented BMPs, and coordinated with other emergency contractors and tree management crews working in the area.
To support efficient and safe work, Trihydro used geographic information system (GIS) applications and desktop mapping tools to survey and map burn areas, scout disturbed areas, and identify drainage pathways. Trihydro’s field observations also informed the client’s water quality team of issues associated with emergency utility restoration and hazard tree removal, allowing for prompt repairs and response.
Trihydro also provided ongoing environmental services to build upon and support the long-term success of the immediate emergency response work. Ongoing services included:
- Site assessments and BMP implementations at basecamps, laydowns, staging areas, and landing zones (LZs)
- Daily field support and site inspections
- Planning and implementing BMPs on major transmission lines
- Designing and implementing BMPs on distribution and vegetation management work
- Site visits with regulatory staff and transmission line construction management
- Supporting a risk assessment program, which consisted of assessing tens of thousands of “very high-risk” and “high-risk” work locations and BMP installations in a nearly 1-million-acre fire footprint spanning remote and steep land.
Outcomes:
- Post-fire risk assessment to protect public safety
- Priority-based mitigation of erosion and sediment impacts on watersheds
- Repair and restoration of areas impacted by post-fire utility restoration and hazard tree removal
- Implementation of soil stabilization best management practices to mitigate potential post-fire debris flow in areas where debris flow could damage critical infrastructure