For Immediate Release

Rough Draw Complex Update, August 22, 2003, 9:00am

The Rough Draw Complex consists of the Rough Draw Fire (1175 acres), Slippery Rock Fire
(954 acres), Speculator #1, Speculator #2 and Hawley Fires (15 acres), Brundage Fire (416 acres) and Elbow Fire (28 acres). Resources assigned include two Type 1 crews, five Type 2 crews, six helicopters, twenty-one engines, eight watertenders and four dozers, a total of 494 personnel.

Rough Draw Fire - Located on the northern boundary of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, at the head of Mission Creek Drainage, in the Gallatin National Forest. Yesterday, the fire showed minimal movement. Direct handline was constructed on the west and east flanks. The evacuation order for the 63 Ranch was lifted at 1:00pm yesterday. A Type 1 crew began direct line construction on the fire's northeast edge, spent last night in that area, and will continue that work today. Handline construction will resume on the west flank in Mission Creek, as well as on the east side of the fire. Mop up and rehabilitation efforts will continue.

Slippery Rock Fire - Located on a northwest ridge above Cottonwood Canyon. Interior burning and torching was observed on this fire yesterday, however there was very little movement. Crews conducted burnout operations on the east side of the fire. An indirect contingency line was constructed to Pauline Creek; this will help protect structures located west of the fire. As conditions allow, burnout operations will be used to remove unburned fuels between the indirect line and the main fire. Interior burning is expected to continue on the Slippery Rock Fire.

Speculator #1 and #2, Hawley Fires -These fires have been fully contained.

Brundage - Located within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, bounded by Hellroaring Cabin to the south, Iron Mountain to the east, Crow Mountain to the north, and Ash Mountain to the west. Minimal fire activity was observed yesterday. The structure protection plan was finalized for Hellroaring Cabin and trigger points were identified for implementation of that plan. The fire will be monitored by aircraft today and moderate growth is expected to the northwest and east. Besides Hellroaring Cabin, four footbridges and numerous outfitter guide camps are threatened by the Brundage Fire.

Elbow - Also located within the wilderness. Yesterday, crews established an anchor point on the fire's west side, from which they will construct handline. Minimal movement was noted yesterday and the same is expected today. Handline construction and complete, accurate mapping will continue today.

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. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team website is operational at www.fireteam-sw.com/oltrogge.

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