Check the burned hillside near Las Vegas, NM for erosion risk before winter rain (2026-07-07)

The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar left hydrophobic soil and bare slopes above homes near Las Vegas, NM. The first hard rain after a fire is when debris flows happen — a burn-severity and soil-repellency check tells crews where to treat first. Standard: USFS BAER burn severity + soil water repellency; SDG 15.3 Proof: photo transect + GPS + burn severity class + water-repellency test Method (USFS BAER soil burn severity + water-repellency assessment, ~45-90 min): 1. Confirm the burn area is open/safe to enter; navigate to a transect; record GPS. 2. Photograph the transect capturing ground cover and ash. 3. Classify soil burn severity (low/moderate/high) at 3 points. 4. Run the water-drop penetration test; record repellency (time for a drop to absorb). 5. Estimate remaining ground-cover percent and slope. 6. Enter severity class, repellency, ground cover, slope, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign. Equipment: water bottle for drop test, trowel, clinometer or phone level, GPS phone, N95 + boots, camera Done when: Soil burn severity class recorded at >=3 points; Water-drop penetration (repellency) result recorded; Ground-cover percent + slope recorded; GPS waypoints + transect photos

Where

Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar, Las Vegas NM

Pay

$82 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

photo transect + GPS + burn severity class + water-repellency test

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-06

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 45–90 minutes. Method of record: USFS BAER soil burn severity + water-repellency assessment

Bring

• water bottle for drop test
• trowel
• clinometer or phone level
• GPS phone
• N95 + boots
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Confirm the burn area is open/safe to enter; navigate to a transect; record GPS.
2. 2. Photograph the transect capturing ground cover and ash.
3. 3. Classify soil burn severity (low/moderate/high) at 3 points.
4. 4. Run the water-drop penetration test; record repellency (time for a drop to absorb).
5. 5. Estimate remaining ground-cover percent and slope.
6. 6. Enter severity class, repellency, ground cover, slope, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• High severity + strong repellency on steep slope -> tag high debris-flow/erosion risk; recommend priority treatment.
• Ground cover < 30% -> flag elevated erosion risk.

What counts as done

• Soil burn severity class recorded at >=3 points
• Water-drop penetration (repellency) result recorded
• Ground-cover percent + slope recorded
• GPS waypoints + transect photos

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.