BATTLEMENT CREEK FIRE

USDI, Bureau of Land ManagementUSDI, Bureau of Land Management

Grand Junction DistrictGrand Junction District

Glenwood Springs Resource AreaGlenwood Springs Resource Area

July 17, 1976July 17, 1976

FUELS Primary fuel type was

Gamble oak

A severe frost on 14 June had killed a high percentage of the leaves

WEATHERWEATHER No weather observations were No weather observations were

taken on the firetaken on the fire

The closest weather station was The closest weather station was Rifle, 12 miles to the ENERifle, 12 miles to the ENE

At the time of the accident the At the time of the accident the weather in Rifle was 93 F, dew weather in Rifle was 93 F, dew point 55 (RH 28%), winds NE at 4point 55 (RH 28%), winds NE at 4

FROM THE ACCIDENT REPORT

““At the time of the accident, the At the time of the accident, the atmosphere was unstable, normal atmosphere was unstable, normal up-slope winds were occurring, up-slope winds were occurring, winds aloft were generally light winds aloft were generally light SW and ranged from 5-15 m.p.h. SW and ranged from 5-15 m.p.h. from 6,600 feet to 31,000 feet from 6,600 feet to 31,000 feet m.s.l.”m.s.l.”

““At the time of the accident, the At the time of the accident, the atmosphere was unstable, normal atmosphere was unstable, normal up-slope winds were occurring, up-slope winds were occurring, winds aloft were generally light winds aloft were generally light SW and ranged from 5-15 m.p.h. SW and ranged from 5-15 m.p.h. from 6,600 feet to 31,000 feet from 6,600 feet to 31,000 feet m.s.l.”m.s.l.”

FROM THE ACCIDENT REPORT

“ “Observers on the fire at the time Observers on the fire at the time of the accident reported high of the accident reported high winds at ground level 25-35 winds at ground level 25-35 m.p.h. and above.”m.p.h. and above.”

“ “Observers on the fire at the time Observers on the fire at the time of the accident reported high of the accident reported high winds at ground level 25-35 winds at ground level 25-35 m.p.h. and above.”m.p.h. and above.”

TOPOGRAPHY

West Aspect

Elevation 8550

Slopes ranged from 10-75%

ORIGIN11 July11 July: 1600 HRS, Fire reported: 1600 HRS, Fire reported

Contained at ½ acre by Grand Valley VFDContained at ½ acre by Grand Valley VFD

12-14 July12-14 July: Fire monitored by Grand : Fire monitored by Grand Valley VFDValley VFD

15 July15 July: Fire escapes : Fire escapes

16 July16 July: Fire has grown in size to over : Fire has grown in size to over 500 acres, B-26 air tanker crashes with 500 acres, B-26 air tanker crashes with one fatalityone fatality

FIRE FIRE PERIMETER, PERIMETER,

17 JULY17 JULY

Project Rulison

• 1969• An underground nuclear detonation• A 43 kiloton bomb, 8,426 foot deep• To investigate the possibility of using nuclear

explosions to extract natural gas from low grade deposits

• Marginally successful in causing the gas to collect in the cavity and fissures produced by the bomb

• The gas was too radioactive to be sold commercially• The site was threatened by the fire

7/17 ASSIGNMENTS7/17 ASSIGNMENTS

Happy Jack Hotshots were assigned to burnout the line starting from point A to point D

Happy Jack Hotshots were assigned to burnout the line starting from point A to point D

B-26 Accident xB-26 Accident x

upper

lower

7/17 ASSIGNMENTS7/17 ASSIGNMENTS

Happy Jack Hotshots were assigned to burnout the line starting from point A to point D

Happy Jack Hotshots were assigned to burnout the line starting from point A to point D

B-26 Accident xB-26 Accident x

lower

upper

7/17 ASSIGNMENTS7/17 ASSIGNMENTS Mormon

Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G

Mormon Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G

lower

upper

7/17 ASSIGNMENTS7/17 ASSIGNMENTS Mormon

Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G

Mormon Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G

lower

upper

Happy Jack Happy Jack HotshotsHotshots

Mormon Lake Hotshots

FROM THE ACCIDENT REPORT

“Apparently, neither crew knew of the specific location or assignment of the other.”

Mormon Lake Hotshots, 1976

“Apparently, neither crew knew of the specific location or assignment of the other.”