FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2006, 9:00 p.m. MT

(Chadron, NE)

SIOUX FIRE COMPLEX UPDATE
Fire Name: Sioux Fire Complex (consists of Thayer and Rudloff Fires)
Location: 3 miles northeast of Harrison, Neb.
Date Started: July 27, 2006
Current Size: ~30,000 Acres
Resources: Total personnel: 120, which includes 20 engines, 5 dozers, and 10 water tenders
Cause: Lightning
Estimated containment: 10 percent

Summary: The Sioux County Fire Complex is located at the edge of the community of Harrison, Neb. It consists of two separate fires, the Thayer Fire and Rudloff Fire. Fire behavior has been active due to drought conditions, lack of winter snow pack and minimal spring rains. At 6 p.m. MT on Sunday, July 30, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team assumed management of the fire in cooperation with local, state and federal firefighting officials.

The Thayer Fire is burning in heavy Ponderosa pine trees and grass 3 miles east of Harrison and north of U.S. Hwy. 20. The Rudloff Fire is three miles east of Harrison and south of U.S. 20. Fire behavior has been extreme on the Complex, with torching of trees and erratic fire behavior reported.

Last night, firefighters did complete a burnout operation east of Monroe Canyon Road, in addition to providing structural protection in and around this area. One root cellar was destroyed.

Despite the cooler temperatures expected today, higher relative humidity, and increased cloud cover, the winds are expected to be out of the north at 15-25 mph. Firefighters are concerned about the Thayer Fire pushing to U.S. 20 and will monitor the southern end of the Thayer fire very closely. Currently U.S. 20 remains closed from Crawford, Neb., to Lusk, Wyo., due to smoke and unpredictable fire behavior.

Access Restrictions: Evacuations for Sow Belly Canyon remain in effect. Road closures include U.S. 20, from Crawford, Neb., to Lusk, Wyo.; Nebraska Hwy. 29, from Harrison to Mitchell; Andrews Road; White River Road; East and West Hat Creek Roads; Pants Butte Road; Highland Road; Cottonwood Road; and Sow Belly Road.