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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

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900