For Immediate Release

Rough Draw Complex Update, August 23, 2003, 9:00am

The Rough Draw Complex consists of the Rough Draw Fire (1175 acres), Slippery Rock Fire (996 acres), Speculator #1, Speculator #2 and Hawley Fires (15 acres), Brundage Fire (460 acres) and Elbow Fire (28 acres). Resources assigned include two Type 1 crews, five Type 2 crews, six helicopters, twenty engines, seven watertenders and three dozers, a total of 482 personnel.

Fire Department of New York (FDNY) representatives left for home this morning. They spent the last week at the Rough Draw Complex to learn more about the Incident Command System and managing long-term incidents. Another group of representatives from FDNY is expected to arrive tomorrow.

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. The Rough Draw Fire is now 50% contained. Yesterday, the fire exhibited minimal growth. Crews continued contructing lines on the east side of the fire and will continue today. Mop up efforts and rehab are also on-going.

Slippery Rock Fire - Located on a northwest ridge above Cottonwood Canyon. The Slippery Rock Fire is now 20% contained. Crews completed the hand and dozer line on the east flank yesterday. Today, they will focus on containing spot fires northwest of the fire's edge. A burnout to secure the dozer line into Pauline Creek may be conducted if conditions are favorable. The closure of the Cottonwood area is expected to be lifted as soon as burnout operations are completed. In the meantime, structure protection in the Cottonwood Creek area will continue.

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. This fire is zero percent contained, but minimal fire activity was observed yesterday. Crews are completing structural protection measures for the Hellroaring Cabin, footbridges and outfitter guide camps that are threatened. The Brundage Fire will continue to be monitored by aircraft today.

Elbow - Also located within the wilderness. The Elbow Fire is 20% contained. Yesterday, crews made excellent progress constructing direct line along the fire's perimeter. Line construction will continue today and mop up will begin.

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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