Badger Mountain Fire Complex Found to be Started B
Incident: Badger Mountain Wildland Fire
Released: 7/16/2008
Results of the preliminary investigation for the ignition source of the Badger Mountain fire were released today by the Douglas County Sheriff's office. The state investigator determined the cause of the fire to be particles from vehicle exhaust. The cause of the Brown's Canyon fire is still under investigation.
Today's firefighting efforts have resulted in a 95% containment level on Badger Mountain. Browns Creek is in patrol status. Trees and brush located within the interior of both Badger and Browns continue to flair up, but are no threat to the containment lines.
Evacuation levels for Badger Mountain remain at a level 2. Evacuation warnings have been removed from all homes along State Highway 97 for the entire length of the fire.
In support of the reduction of evacuation levels, all road closures along the Badger Mountain road have also been removed. However, the public should avoid roads in the vicinity of the fire as firefighting traffic is still heavy.
The Badger Mountain complex has affected residents in many ways. Lost or damaged items include power poles, fence posts, farm and orchard machinery, out buildings damaged or lost, chicken coops and chickens, and vehicles. Several orchards suffered tree damage or loss.
Resources assigned to the Badger Mountain fire will be significantly reduced as the fire becomes fully contained. Many resources will be released to firefighting efforts elsewhere around the west.
