BATTLEMENT CREEK FIRE USDI Bureau of Land Management

BATTLEMENT CREEK FIRE USDI, Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction District Glenwood Springs Resource Area July 17, 1976

Vicinity Map Battlement Creek Fire Area, Colorado.

FUELS Primary fuel type was Gamble oak A severe frost on 14 June had killed a high percentage of the leaves

Photo of the Gamble oak fuel type.

WEATHER No weather observations were taken on the fire The closest weather station was Rifle, 12 miles to the ENE. At the time of the accident the weather in Rifle was 93 F, dew point 55 (RH 28%), winds NE at 4

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

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

TOPOGRAPHY West Aspect Elevation 8550 Slopes ranged from 10 -75%

ORIGIN 11 July: 1600 HRS, Fire reported Contained at ½ acre by Grand Valley VFD 12 -14 July: Fire monitored by Grand Valley VFD 15 July: Fire escapes 16 July: Fire has grown in size to over 500 acres, B-26 air tanker crashes with one fatality Topo map of Battlement Creek fire area, Colorado.

FIRE PERIMETER, 17 JULY Topo map of Battlement Creek fire area, Colorado.

Ownership map of Battlement Creek fire area, Colorado.

• • 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 ASSIGNMENTS lower upper Happy Jack Hotshots were assigned to burnout the line starting from point A to point D B-26 Accident x Topo map of Battlement Creek fire area, Colorado.

7/17 ASSIGNMENTS lower upper Mormon Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G Topo map of Battlement Creek fire area, Colorado.