For Immediate Release

Rough Draw Complex Update, August 28, 2003, 9:00am

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 (21 acres), and the Walbrun Fire (13 acres). Containment for all fires is currently 75%. Resources assigned include one Type 1 crew, two Type 2 crews, two helicopters, nine engines, five watertenders and two dozers, a total of 245 personnel. Limited activity was seen on all fires yesterday. Higher humidities are forecasted and minimal movement is expected today. Crews and equipment are being released from the Rough Draw Complex to assist at other fires in the area.

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 activity yesterday. Today, the perimeter will be monitored by air. Crews will continue backhaul and structural protection at the 63 Ranch.

Slippery Rock Fire - Located on a northwest ridge above Cottonwood Canyon. Spot fires on the northern side of the main fire were mopped up yesterday. Mop up and rehabilitation efforts will continue again today. The Cottonwood Creek road closure has been lifted, but an area closure is still in effect in Gallatin National Forest.

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 was monitored by air yesterday and air monitoring will continue again today.

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 monitored the fire's eastern edge and continued mop up and rehabilitation efforts. Several crew members were flown out yesterday afternooon. Backhaul will begin today.

On behalf of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, Incident Commander, Dan Oltrogge, would like to express his sincere appreciation to the many cooperators and community members who provided support throughout the Rough Draw suppression effort. Oltrogge stated, "your support, cooperation, and participation was invaluable to us and added to the success of our assignment. Thank you".

This will be the last news update from the Rough Draw Complex. The Gallatin National Forest will be responsible for management of the Rough Draw Complex fires beginning tomorrow at 6:00 pm.

For additional information, please call the Livingston Ranger District at 406-222-1892. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team website is operational at www.fireteam-sw.com/oltrogge

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