***Facilitators Field Reference***

***Battlement Creek Fire Staff Ride***

MAY 2007

NOTE TO FACILITATORS: THIS IS A SUGGESTED FORMAT. DO NOT FEEL LIMITED BY
THE INDENTIFIED STANDS OR DISCUSSION ITEMS. IT IS PROVIDED AS A WORD
DOCUMENT SO THAT USERS MAY ADAPT AND REVISE IT TO FIT THEIR SPECIFIC
AUDIENCE AND TIME DEMANDS.

**STAFF RIDE DIFFICULTY RATING:**

**[Physical]{.underline}**

Light -- Stand 1, Stand 2, and the Alternate Stand are accessible by
vehicle.

Moderate -- The hiking trail to Stand 3 and Stand 4.

Arduous -- The hiking trail to Stand 5 and Stand 6.

-   The arduous and moderate Stands are accessible by an established
    trail system and hiking conditions consists of ridgelines and steep
    slopes.

Elevation:

-   Stand 3 is approximately 6400 feet;

-   Stand 6 is approximately 8500 feet;

-   From the start of the ATV road to Stand 4 is approximately 1/2 mile
    with 450 feet of elevation gain.

-   Stand 4 to Stand 6 is approximately 3/4 mile with 850 feet of
    elevation gain.

**[Logistics]{.underline}**

The Battlement Creek Fire site is located approximately 2.5 miles east,
southeast of Parachute, Colorado. Parachute, Colorado is located at exit
75 on Interstate 70. Parachute is approximately 1 hour (50 miles) east
of Grand Junction, Colorado and approximately 3 ½ hours (200 miles) west
of Denver, Colorado. Parachute has minimal lodging and meal
accommodations for small groups. Larger group accommodations are
available in Grand Junction or Rifle. Access to the Battlement Creek
area is dependent on snow pack and weather conditions. County Road 302
is a dirt road into the area which consists of natural shale and can be
very slippery during wet conditions. The trail to the fatality sites is
steep and can be very slick during these same periods. Best access into
the area is after mid-April. Parking is limited along County Road 302 at
Stand 1, Stand 2, and at the base of the ATV road to Stand 3.

**[Hazards:]{.underline}**

**[Traffic:]{.underline}** Depending on local natural gas drilling
activities there may be periods of heavy truck traffic in and out of the
area early in the mornings and late in the afternoon.

**[Terrain:]{.underline}** The trail system is an open cut saw line
which is located on a ridge between the North and South Bowls,
respectively referred to as the 16^th^ and 17^th^ Bowls due to the fire
behavior on each day. While walking the trail from Stand 4 to 6 you may
experience some loose shale rock. When dry, the soils are loose and
unstable footing is common. When wet or frozen, the soils become
slippery and unstable footing is to be expected with potential for slips
and falls.

**[Other Users:]{.underline}** The area is frequented primarily during
the fall hunting season (August through November). The base of the
17^th^ Bowl is used by sportsman to sight in rifles and for general
target practice.

**[Weather:]{.underline}** Given the nature of the terrain, cloud
build-up can appear quickly from the Southwest. Summer time afternoon
thunderstorms and lightning occur frequently. Winds can be very
significant in the area, especially in the afternoon and typically
cooler at the higher elevations. The shape of the terrain causes a
funneling of the winds up the bowls and to the saddle at the top of the
ridges, just as it did in 1976. Warm clothing and plenty of drinking
water is highly recommended.

**[Snags:]{.underline}** There are a few Douglas-fir snags in the area.
Be aware of potential for snags to come down without notice.

**[Rocks:]{.underline}** Rolling rocks are few, but sliding shale is
common, increasing the potential for slips and falls -- wear sturdy
soled hiking boots with adequate ankle support.

**[Fuel Types:]{.underline}** The area is covered in re-growth of
Gambel's oak, mountain mahogany, service berry and other assorted brush
species. There are some pinyon and juniper trees in the area with
smaller pockets of Douglas-fir. Along the trail, prickly pear and some
small barrel cactus can be found. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are
highly recommended.

**Stand 1 -- T56**

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Travel Map

Local Access Map

Topographic Map with stand locations

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 24.513' Long: W107° 57.046'

**From Denver, Colorado:**

> I-70 West approximately 200 miles to Exit 75, Parachute, Colorado.

**From Grand Junction, Colorado:**

> I-70 East approximately 50 miles to Exit 75, Parachute, Colorado.

**From Parachute, Colorado:**

-   At Exit 75 (off I-70), travel south on Garfield County Road 215
    across the Colorado River and up the hill toward Battlement Mesa.

-   At the entrance to Battlement Mesa, continue straight up the hill
    (past the waterfall) on N. Battlement Parkway/E. Battlement Parkway
    (County Road 301) for approximately 2 miles.

-   Turn left onto Four Corners Road (County Road 308) for approximately
    1.5 miles.

-   Turn left onto Underwood Lane (County Road 302) for approximately
    5.2 miles.

-   Stay on the main road to the Battlement Creek Drainage (DO NOT turn
    right into Jack's Pocket just after the fire danger sign).

-   Stand 1 is at the intersection of County Road 302 and the private
    Natural Gas Road (green gate).

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

Interstate 70

Parachute

Colorado River

Battlement Creek Drainage

Doghead Mountain

Rulison Project

**[Discussion Topics]{.underline}**

-   The Battlement Creek Fire of 1976 started on Sunday, July 11 at
    approximately 1600 after a severe lightning storm came through the
    Parachute and Morrisania communities. Lightning was concentrated in
    and around the Eames Orchard area of Morrisania Mesa. It consumed
    880 acres in 3 days.

-   On July 12, at approximately 1330, a ½ acre fire was reported and
    controlled at 1700 by the Grand Valley Volunteer Fire Department. At
    2130, a lightning strike was observed by a local citizen in
    approximately the same vicinity which resulted in an immediate fire
    start. The Grand Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to this
    fire and returned home at 0300, July 13.

-   On Thursday, July 15, at approximately 1400, the Grand Valley
    Volunteer Fire Department responded to a smoke report in the same
    vicinity near Eames Orchard. It was determined this smoke report was
    from the same fire they took action on twice before on July 12^th^.
    They were just starting suppression action when an increase in wind
    velocity was noted. The fire jumped about 20-30 feet to the south
    into sage and cheatgrass and spread rapidly. At about 1530 the Grand
    Junction District BLM initiated the mobilization of additional
    ground and aviation resources.

-   Project Rulison, a research site located up canyon from the point of
    origin, soon became a significant factor for establishing the
    initial incident objectives. This was a program sponsored by Austrol
    Oil of Houston, Texas, and Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories under
    the supervision of the Atomic Energy Commission.

-   Project Rulison was the blast site of a 43-kilo ton atomic blast,
    8,426 feet below the surface, which was conducted as part of the
    governments Operation Plowshare project on September 10, 1969. The
    blast was part of an effort to convert government nuclear programs
    into various peacetime uses of atomic power.

-   At the time of the fire, there were still large amounts of equipment
    and two aboveground storage tanks still on site. Each tank contained
    explosive vapors and low-level radioactive materials.

-   On Friday, July 16, one day before the crew accident, a B-26 air
    tanker crashed on a retardant dropping mission on the Battlement
    creek fire. The accident occurred at 0856, approximately one mile
    south of the fire. It was determined that T-56 never completed its
    turn prior to impacting the ridge in front of us. It was noted by
    witnesses that the pilot did jettison the retardant load just prior
    to impact. The pilot of T-56, Donald Goodman of Missoula, Montana,
    was killed.

-   The crash diverted the Line Boss and the Sawtooth Inter-Regional
    crew for much of the day in controlling a fire at the crash site and
    removing the pilot's remains. This accident was not directly related
    to the crew fatalities and injuries.

-   Airtanker operations were halted after the accident and not resumed
    until the following day.

**Handout Tactical Decision Game #1, allow five minutes and discuss.**

**Stand 2 -- The Cattle Guard**

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Topographic Map with stand locations

Topographic Map with fire progression

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 25.387' Long: W107° 57.745'

-   Driving Directions to Stand 2: From Stand 1, drive back down
    Garfield County Road 302, 1.2 miles to the Cattle Guard.

-   You can park along side of the road, but you must be careful of
    traffic on this road.

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

Division B/C break

July 17^th^ Bowl

July 16^th^ / 17^th^ Ridgeline

Upper Helispot Ridge

**[Discussion Topics]{.underline}**

-   The national situation on July 16^th^ was fairly busy with initial
    attack and a few large fires. Most of these fires were not utilizing
    outside resources. A large supply of crews, aircraft of all kinds
    (except heavy helicopters), overhead, radio equipment, and fire
    supplies were available.

-   As part of the overall strategy to impede the fires southerly
    progress and protect the Project Rulison site, dozer line
    construction commenced around 0900 on Friday the 16^th^. Dozer
    operations were completed around 1600.

-   The Mormon Lake and Happy Jack Hotshot crews began burning out the
    dozer line around 1615 and reached the road at about 2030. The
    burnout spread 60 feet from the line, with some deeper pockets and
    continued downhill (northerly).

-   The burnout involved primarily surface fuels and there were no spot
    fires south of the line.

-   An evening burnout from the intersection of the dozer line and
    County Road 302 to the north was not as successful as the previous
    section of line burned out during the afternoon. The burnout on the
    road was also primarily a surface fire and left a considerable
    amount of unburned fuel in the Gambel's oak overstory leaving the
    canopy cured.

-   Mormon Lake and Happy Jack Hotshot crews reached fire camp around
    0100 to get some sleep prior to meeting in a few hours for the next
    day's assignments.

**Handout Tactical Decision Game #2, allow five minutes and discuss.**

**Stand 3 -- The 16^th^ Bowl**

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Topographic Map with stand locations

Topographic Map with fire progression

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 25.662' Long: W107° 57.697'

-   From Stand 2, drive .1 miles north on County Road 302; park along
    County Road 302;

-   Walk up the ATV road to the ridgeline;

-   The 16^th^ Bowl (Stand 3) is on the northern edge of the ridgeline.

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

July 16^th^ Bowl

Lower Helispot Ridge

County Road 302

Morrisania Mesa

Parachute

**[Discussion Topics]{.underline}**

-   A prophetic report prepared by the Colorado State Forest Service,
    "Guidelines and Criteria for Wildfire hazard Areas, September 1974"
    described frost killed Gambel's oak as "fuel type X" that supports
    high-to-severe wildfire hazards. Potential for extreme fire behavior
    conditions surrounding frost killed Gambel's oak had been documented
    before this incident.

-   A severe frost on June 14^th^ killed more than 50% of the leaves on
    the Gambel's oak. At the time of the fire, many of the dead leaves
    were still hanging in the canopy while others had fallen creating a
    1 -- 2 inch litter layer. Relatively warm, dry weather following the
    frost provided conditions that further cured the Gambel's oak
    overstory.

-   Minimum fuel moistures of the dead leaves in the oak canopy and
    other fine fuels were estimated to be between 7 & 8 percent.

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-   The typical weather pattern combined with steep mountainous terrain
    and existing fuels established conditions for high rates of fire
    spread in the Battlement Creek drainage during the afternoon hours.

-   On July 16^th^, in the span of 30 minutes the fire made a run from
    County Road 302 (Battlement Creek Road) to the ridge top generating
    two large fire whirls.

-   Precipitation amounts were near normal for this time of year,
    relative humidity was not unusually low, and wind velocities were
    typical of the area.

**Handout Strategic Discussion Point #3, allow five minutes and
discuss.**

**Stand 4 -- The Observation Point**

*This is the last identified stand at the Battlement Creek Fire location
when conducting a light or moderate staff ride. The Alternate Stand --
Battlement Creek Fire Memorial, located just north of Interstate 70 at
the Parachute Rest Area, may be used as the last stand and/or the
integration phase of the staff ride.*

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Topographic Map with stand locations

Topographic Map with fire progression

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 25.745' Long: W107° 57.405'

-   From Stand 3, walk back to the main trail and continue up the middle
    ridgeline in an easterly direction for approximately 1400 feet.

    -   You are walking on the ridgeline located in between the 16^th^
        (north) and 17^th^ (south) Bowls.

-   To the south, approximately 1.5 miles away is the crash site of the
    T-56.

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

July 17^th^ Bowl, Ridgeline & Cliffs

Upper Helispot

T 56 Memorial Site

County Road 302

**[Discussion Topics]{.underline}**

-   During the summer of 1976 western Colorado was experiencing an
    unusually severe fire season caused partly by unusual fuel
    conditions (frost kill) and heavy lightning activity during dry
    weather. The Grand Junction BLM District experienced a greater
    number of fire starts, which taxed their fire control capability.

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-   The national situation on July 17, reported 458 fires. Of the 458
    fires, 384 of them were in California which was experiencing red
    flag conditions. The Battlement Creek fire was the only one drawing
    on BIFC (NIFC) support.

-   There were 13 crews totaling 270 personnel and approximately 20
    overhead assigned to the fire on July 17^th^.

-   The overhead that managed this fire had not worked together
    previously and was not a pre-organized Class II Overhead Team
    (Incident Management Team).

-   The following positions were not filled on this fire: Tractor Boss
    (DOZB), Fire Behavior Officer (FBAN), Equipment Officer (GSUL),
    Communication Officer (COML) and Air Attack Boss (ATGS). There was
    an absence of key support positions in the plans and service
    function which resulted in members of the team doing other duties
    which detracted from their primary assignment.

-   The Sector Boss (DIVS) and the Line Boss (OSC2) relied heavily on
    Mormon Lake and Happy Jack Hotshot Crew Bosses' judgment to complete
    their assignments.

-   The Mormon Lake Hotshot Crew was established in 1976 and had worked
    together on 17 fires prior to the Battlement Creek fire. It was the
    first year the overhead had worked together as an established
    Hotshot Crew.

-   The fuels and topography in the 17^th^ Bowl are very similar to
    16^th^ Bowl therefore suppression tactics on the 17^th^ were based
    off the previous days' fire behavior. By noon on July 17^th^, the
    Happy Jack Hotshots burnout was established in the bottom of
    the17^th^ Bowl.

-   An aerial reconnaissance flight occurred prior to day shift on the
    17^th^ with the Mormon Lake Hotshot Crew Boss, Sector Boss and the
    Line Boss.

-   Handheld radios in 1976 were not field programmable and could not
    scan. Mormon Lake Hotshot Crew Boss, Czak, had to carry two radios;
    one to talk to his crew and a second to talk to overhead.

**Handout Strategic Discussion Point #4, allow five minutes and
discuss.**

**Stand 5 -- The Upper Helispot**

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Topographic Map with stand locations

Topographic Map with fire progression

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 25.841' Long: W107° 57.151'

-   From Stand 4, continue walking the trail to stand 5. Loose soil and
    footing may be a problem.

-   When you reach the top, the trail leads to the center of a cleared
    opening and flat area. This area is the Upper Helispot used by the
    Mormon Lake crew on the day of July 17, 1976.

-   Total walking distance is approximately 1500 feet.

-   The designated Safety Zone is down the slope to the north & east,
    past the Lower Helispot.

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

July 16^th^ & 17^th^ Ridgeline

Upper Helispot

July 17^th^ Bowl

Flat Tops Wilderness & Storm King Mountain (1994 South Canyon Fire) to
the east

Roan Plateau, north of I-70

**[Discussion Topics]{.underline}**

-   At the morning briefing on Saturday the 17^th^, the Happy Jack
    Hotshots were assigned to burnout inside the black in order to
    solidify previous day's burnout adjacent to the road and dozer lines
    along the south perimeter.

-   The Mormon Lake Hotshots were assigned to improve the line on top of
    the ridge which was previously worked on by the night shift crews.
    Line construction was just to the lee side of the slope.

-   Mormon Lake Hotshots arrived at Helibase at 0730 and due to a series
    of other priorities never reached the Upper Helispot until
    about 1100. At this time they began improving the line from the rock
    bluff back down to the Upper Helispot.

-   The Happy Jack Hotshots began ignitions at or around 0900 and worked
    their way down the dozer line reaching the road at around 1200. At
    this time the crew broke into squads with half eating lunch and the
    remainder continuing to improving the black line along County Road
    302 (Battlement Creek Road).

-   The Happy Jack Hotshots worked deep in the black, off the road, with
    the completion of firing around 1315. The fire burned uphill in the
    17^th^ Bowl.

-   From their position along the top of the ridge on the morning of the
    17th, Mormon Lake crewmembers would have seen residual smoke in the
    16^th^ Bowl and current smoke along the dozer line from the Happy
    Jack Hotshots burn-out operation.

-   The Mormon Lake Hotshot Crew Boss, Tony Czak and three other
    crewmen, attempted to burn out fingers between the Rock Bluff and
    the Upper Helispot. Two other Mormon Lake crewmembers were posted on
    top of the bluff to observe for spots.

-   In 1976, even though fire shelters were available, they were not
    mandatory for personnel to carry. The Mormon Lake Hotshots had fire
    shelters but because of the weight, they were left in camp that
    morning, a common practice at the time. Typical personal protective
    equipment at the time consisted of blue jeans, early generation
    Nomex shirts, Filson cruiser vests and aluminum hard hats.

-   Observers on the fire at the time of the accident reported high
    winds at ground level 25-35 m.p.h. and above. Earlier in the day,
    the weather was described as fair; winds were light both on the
    ridge and on lower portions of the fire. Some small whirl activity
    was reported about 1230-1300 which would indicate unstable
    atmospheric conditions.

**Handout Tactical Decision Game #5, allow five minutes and discuss.**

**Stand 6 -- The Flag**

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Topographic Map with stand locations

Topographic Map with fire progression

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 25.689' Long: W107° 56.947'

-   From Stand 5, follow the trail south, up the ridge to the Flag.

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

July 17^th^ Ridgeline & Cliffs

Upper Helispot

July 17^th^ Bowl

County Road 302

**After conducting Stand 6 discussions, allow time to explore the area**

-   Stephen Furey's marker is located near the Flag.

    -   Lat: N39° 25.684' Long: W107° 56.947'

-   Scott Nelson's marker is located down slope, west of the flag.

    -   Lat: N39° 25.681' Long: W107° 56.988'

-   Tony Czak's marker is located north, approximately 1,000 feet down
    the trail from Nelson's marker. The original cairn that was
    constructed after the fire, and is still located at this site.

    -   Lat: N39° 25.785' Long: W107° 57.112'

[Discussion Topics]{.underline}

-   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.

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-   At approximately 1315 the Happy Jack Hotshot crew had completed the
    lower burnout along the road. Unbeknownst to the Mormon Lake
    Hotshots the fire was starting to work its way up into the 17^th^
    Bowl.

-   At about 1330 the Mormon Lake burnout squad was to burn out a 60 --
    80' strip along the improved line on the main ridge. The burn out
    progressed slowly and was difficult to keep burning. The burnout
    squad consisted of Crew boss Tony Czak, Squad boss John Gibson, and
    Crewmen Stephen Furey and Scott Nelson.

-   At 1400, the burnout squad encountered dense oak brush which
    produced erratic fire behavior. During this same time span, fire
    behavior lower downhill in the 17^th^ Bowl was increasing.
    Topography ranged from 10% at the bottom near the road to 75% near
    the ridgeline.

-   The Sector Boss called Czak to move the line improvement squad to
    the Safety Zone because of incoming Airtankers, they moved to the
    Safety Zone. The conditions became smokey.

    -   Tony Czak had two radios, an incident radio and crew net radio;
        the two squad bosses had only crew net radios.

    -   When the order to leave was made by The Sector Boss, Czak heard
        it on the incident radio and had to relay the message to his
        Squad Bosses on the crew net radio.

    -   The Sector Boss heard the report that all had made it to the
        Safety Zone and assumed "all" included the members of the
        burnout squad.

-   The burnout squad was separated by 100 -- 200 yards from the rest of
    the crew with a wall of fire between them. The time was between 1425
    & 1430. Unable to reach the Safety Zone, Crew Boss Czak radioed his
    Squad Boss who was in the Safety Zone and told him that they were
    trapped and unable to make it to the Safety Zone. Czak also radioed
    the Sector Boss with the same information and told him that the
    burnout squad would be moving back up the ridgeline toward the rock
    bluff. The time is now between 1430 & 1435.

-   At approximately 1440 the burnout squad was unable to go any further
    up the slope toward the rock bluff. After being given orders by Crew
    Boss Czak, the crew took off their canvas vests, wet down their
    vests, shirts and trousers and laid down in the fireline. At
    approximately 1440 -- 1445 the fire roared over the burnout squad.
    During the burnover, at approximately 1448, Crewman Scott Nelson got
    up and ran down hill. Shortly after Nelson got up, Crew boss Tony
    Czak got up and ran down the ridgeline in the direction of the
    Safety Zone and died after traveling approximately 1000 feet.

-   At 1510, the Sector Boss arrived at the original burnover site and
    found Gibson and Furey still alive. Shortly after his arrival,
    Stephen Furey passed away. John Gibson was airlifted to St. Mary's
    Hospital in Grand Junction and then on to a burn center in
    Albuquerque, New Mexico.

**Handout Tactical Decision Game #6 or Strategic Discussion Point #6,
allow five minutes and discuss.**

**Alternate Stand -- Battlement Creek Fire Memorial**

**Parachute Rest Area**

**[Maps]{.underline}**

Travel Map

**[Access]{.underline}**

**GPS Coordinates (WGS 84):** Lat: N39° 25.698' Long: W107° 57.532'

**From Denver, Colorado:**

> I-70 West approximately 200 miles to Exit 75, Parachute, Colorado.

**From Grand Junction, Colorado:**

> I-70 East approximately 50 miles to Exit 75, Parachute, Colorado.

The memorial is located north of Interstate 70 in Old Town Parachute, at
the Parachute Rest Area.

**[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}**

Interstate 70

Parachute

Colorado River

Battlement Creek Drainage

Doghead Mountain

Fatality Site

**[Discussion Topics]{.underline}**

-   This stand could serve as a good site for the integration phase of a
    staff ride.