For Immediate Release

The Rough Draw Complex consists of eight fires - the Rough Draw Fire (1,209 acres), Slippery Rock Fire (1,072 acres), Speculator #1 and #2, Hawley (15 acres), Brundage (750 acres), Elbow (13 acres), and the Walbrun Fire (13 acres). Containment for all fires is currently 70%. Resources assigned include one Type 1 crew, two Type 2 crews, two helicopters, ten engines, six watertenders and two dozers, a total of 327 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 with some interior burning. Personnel monitored the fire perimeter. Structure protection measures remain in place at the 63 Ranch. Today, crews will continue extinguishing burning material and rehabilitation efforts.

Slippery Rock Fire - Located on a northwest ridge above Cottonwood Canyon. There was minimal growth on the Slippery Rock Fire and some interior burning was observed yesterday. Crews completed a line around the spot fires on the northern side of the main fire. Mop up and rehabilitation of the dozer lines will continue today. The road closure that was implemented in Cottonwood was lifted at noon yesterday. However, Gallatin National Forest lands still remain under an area closure.

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 showed some activity in the northwest portion of the fire yesterday, but other parts of the fire showed little activity. The fire was monitored by aircraft yesterday and that will continue again today, along with more accurate mapping of the fire's perimeter. Fire growth is expected to continue to the north and west.

Elbow - Also located within the wilderness. This fire has been fully contained and rehabilitation efforts have been completed in the suppression area.

Walbrun - Located on the wilderness to the northeast of the Elbow Fire. Crews placed water hoses around the perimeter yesterday and will continue extinguishing any remaining burning material.

For additional information, please call the Rough Draw Complex Information Center at 406-222-9280. Phones are generally staffed from 8:00am until 5:00pm daily. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team website is operational at www.fireteam-sw.com/oltrogge.

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