For Immediate Release

Rough Draw Complex Update, August 18, 2003, 9:00am

The Rough Draw Complex currently consists of five fires: the Rough Draw Fire (1120 acres), the Slippery Rock Fire (833 acres), Speculator #1 (15 acres), Speculator #2 (.1 acre), and the Hawley Fire (.1 acre). At the request of Gallatin National Forest, the team will assume responsibility for the management of two additional fires - the Brundage and the Elbow Fires. Structural protection will be maintained on Rough Draw and Slippery Rock. Resources assigned to the complex include two Type 1 crews, seven Type 2 crews, seven helicopters, thirty-one engines, eight watertenders and four dozers, a total of 525 personnel.

Rough Draw Fire - Located on the northern boundary of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, at the head of the Mission Creek Drainage, in the Gallatin National Forest. Yesterday, fire behavior moderated due to an increase in relative humidity, lower temperatures, and an inversion over the area. Portions of the Rough Draw fire received an estimated 0.5 inch of precipitation. Today, crews will assess opportunities for direct line construction on the east and west flanks. Structural protection measures are still in place for the 63 Ranch, north of the fire.

Slippery Rock Fire - Located on a northwest ridge above Cottonwood Canyon. There was minimal activity on the Slippery Rock fire yesterday. Firefighters are constructing line between the main fire and the Cottonwood Creek residences, south of the fire. Structural protection measures are in place for the residences. Fire fighters will take advantage of opportunities to burnout on the fire's west edge.

Speculator #1 and Speculator #2 - Located on a ridge on the west side of Main Boulder Canyon. These fires have not moved in several days. Crews completed handline around both fires, and will continue with mop up today. Rehabilitation efforts will begin in the suppression and helispot areas today.

Hawley - This fire is still in patrol status and has not shown any activity in several days.

There will NOT be a community meeting tonight.

A Community Meeting will be held tonight, August 19th, from 6:00-7:00pm, at the Beaver Creek Community Hall, located at 651 Swingly Road in Beaver Creek. Members of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, representatives from Gallatin National Forest and other cooperating agencies will provide an overview of the fire situation. They will also be available to answer questions and address concerns. The public is invited to attend.

For additional information, please call the Rough Draw Complex Information Center at 406-222-9280. Phones will be staffed from 7:00am until 8:00pm daily.

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