Skip to main content

 

 

Collection of Historical Photographs, Battlement Creek Fire

Click the image to enlarge.

Hand written note from Shirley & Chuck, 1976 - Hutch Mountain Lookout.

Hand written note from Shirley & Chuck, 1976 - Hutch Mountain Lookout.

Photo of smoke and flames on Battlement Creek from a distance.

Photo of smoke and flames on Battlement Creek.

 
Photo of smoke and flames on Battlement Creek from a distance as the fire dramatically gained momentum.

Photo of smoke and flames on Battlement Creek as the fire dramatically gained momentum.

Photo of smoke and flames on Battlement Creek as the fire engulfed the top of the mountain.

Photo of smoke and flames on Battlement Creek as the fire engulfed the top of the mountain.

 
Memorial plaque dedicated July 25, 1981 to the five firefighters who lost their lives.

Memorial plaque dedicated July 25, 1981 to the five firefighters who lost their lives.

Memorial site with a kiosk displaying a map and the history of the Battlement Creek Fire.

The memorial site with a kiosk displaying a map and the history of the Battlement Creek Fire.

 
Group photo of the Mormon Lake Hot Shot Crew, 1976.

Group photo of the Mormon Lake Hot Shot Crew, 1976.

Oblique aerial photograph of Battlement Creek fire area, July 19, 1976 showing locations of fire orgin, the burn area, crew accident, B-26 crash, heliport base, fire camp, and project Rulison .

Oblique aerial photograph of Battlement Creek fire area, July 19, 1976, showing locations of fire origin, the burn area, crew accident, B-26 crash, heliport base, fire camp, and project Rulison .

 
Photo showing the dense Gamble's oak leaves that were still on the trees at the time of the fire.

Dense Gamble's oak leaves that were still on the trees at the time of the fire.

Aerial photo of the convection column centered on the ridge between the north and south draws and positioned about half way between the road and the ridgeline where the Mormon Lake crew was working.

Aerial photo of the convection column centered on the ridge near Mormon Lake crew.

 
Photo of Battlement Creek fire from top of rocky bluff looking north. Mormon Lake crew member John Meyers photographed the fire running towards the lower helispot at about 1430 on Saturday, July 17. This is the fire run that stopped the burnout squad from joining the line improvement squad in the safety zone beyond the flames.

Photo of Battlement Creek fire from the rocky bluff looking north.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers 

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2