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Rocky Mountain Research Station

Research Paper RMRS-RP-9

September 1998

Fire Behavior Associated with the 1994 South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain, Colorado

Bret W. Butler
Roberta A. Bartlette
Larry S. Bradshaw
Jack D. Cohen
Patricia L. Andrews
Ted Putnam
Richard J. Mangan

Dedication

Tragically, 14 firefighters died during the fire run on the afternoon of July 6, 1994, on
the South Canyon Fire. We dedicate this study to their memory with the hope that by
learning from their sacrifice, future firefighter lives will be saved.

Kathi Beck
Tami Bickett
Scott Blecha
Levi Brinkley
Robert Browning
Doug Dunbar
Terri Hagen
Bonnie Holtby
Rob Johnson
Jon Kelso
Don Mackey
Roger Roth
James Thrash
Richard Tyler

Contents

Executive Summary

The Authors, Acknowledgements, and Preface

Introduction

Fire Behavior Overview

Summary of Critical Factors Influencing the Fire Behavior

Fire Environment

Topography
Fuels
Weather

Fire Chronology

July 2 to Evening of July 5--Low Intensity Downslope Spread
July 5, 2230 to July 6, 1530--Continued Downslope Spread
July 6, 1530 to 1600--Double Draw Crown Fire Runs and Spot Fire on Main Ridge
July 6, 1600 to 1603--Fire Crosses West Drainage
July 6, 1603 to 1609--Fire Moves Up West Drainage
July 6, 1609 to 1610--Fire on West Flank
July 6, 1610 to 1611--Fire Below West Flank Fireline
July 6, 1611 to 1614--Firefighters on West Flank Fireline Overrun
July 6, 1614 to 1623--Helitack Firefighters Overrun
July 6, 1622 to 1830--Smokejumpers Deploy in Shelters on Lunch
Spot Ridge
July 6, 1830 to July 11--Search and Rescue, and Fire Burns to
Glenwood Springs

Fire Behavior Discussion

Fire in South End of West Drainage
Winds Push Fire into Bowl
Fire Transitions to Gambel Oak Canopy
Fire on West Flank

Conclusions

References

Appendix A: Glossary

Appendix B: Chronology, Fire Behavior, Weather, Distances, Firefighter Travel Rates, and Fire Spread Rates

Chronology, Fire Behavior, and Weather
Distances
Firefighter Travel Rates
Fire Spread Rates

Appendix C: Mesoscale Meteorological Model

Abstract

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Title: Main Page: RMRS-RP-9 - Fire Behavior Associated with the 1994 South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain, Colorado
Publish Date: February 5, 1999
Last Update: December 22, 2005

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