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Collection of Historical Photographs, Battlement Creek Fire

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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

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal