For Immediate Release

Rough Draw Complex Update, August 26, 2003, 9:00am

The Rough Draw Complex consists of eight fires - the Rough Draw Fire (1180 acres), Slippery Rock Fire (1072 acres), Speculator #1 and #2, Hawley (15 acres), Brundage (700 acres), Elbow (28 acres), and the Walbrun Fire (19 acres). Containment for all fires is currently 60%. Resources assigned include two Type 1 crews, one Type 2 crew, two helicopters, seventeen engines, five watertenders and two dozers, a total of 305 personnel. Minimal growth was seen on all fires yesterday.

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 showed minimal growth yesterday. Personnel monitored the fire perimeter and mopped up hot spots. Bucket work was conducted on hotspots in Mission Creek and on the east side of Shell Mountain. Structure protection measures are still in place at the 63 Ranch. Today, crews will continue the mop up and rehabilitation efforts.

Slippery Rock Fire - Located on a northwest ridge above Cottonwood Canyon. There was minimal growth on the Slippery Rock Fire yesterday. Crews began work on a 10 acre spot fire located to the north of the main fire. Some interior burning can be expected. Mop up and rehabilitation activities will continue today.

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. The Brundage Fire showed active surface fire activity with group torching on the southwest corner yesterday. The fire was monitored by aircraft and aerial monitoring will continue again today. It is expected that the fire will continue to grow to the north and west.

Elbow - Also located within the wilderness. Yesterday, mop up and rehabilitation of the fire was completed. Crews were shuttled off the fire by helicopter and returned to the main camp last night.

Walbrun - (previously reported as Walburn). Located on the wilderness to the northeast of the Elbow Fire. Crews built hand line yesterday and will continue with line construction today. Pumps and hoselays were installed on the west flank of the fire. Mop up will begin today.

For additional information, please call the Rough Draw Complex Information Center at 406-222-9280. Phones are generally staffed from 7:00am until 7:00pm daily. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team website is operational at www.fireteam-sw.com/oltrogge.

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