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

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

5. WEATHER The closest weather station was Rifle, 12 miles to the ENE
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

6. 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.”

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

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

9. 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

10. FIRE PERIMETER, 17 JULY

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 7/17 ASSIGNMENTS
lower
Mormon Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G
upper

16. 7/17 ASSIGNMENTS
lower
Mormon Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve and burnout the line starting from point E to point G
upper

17. Mormon Lake Hotshots
Happy Jack Hotshots

20. FROM THE ACCIDENT REPORT
“Apparently, neither crew knew of the specific location or assignment of the other.”

29. Mormon Lake Hotshots, 1976

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