The disaster fund to aid victims of last week's Alabaugh Fire near Hot Springs has received pledges of more than $40,000, according to spokesman George Kotti, executive director of the Hot Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

The fire, which broke out on July 7, killed one man, destroyed 33 homes and about 50 outbuildings, and drove more than 500 people from their homes.

The Hot Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Fall River County, the city of Hot Springs and the city's financial institutions established the Hot Springs Fire Disaster Fund.

"All of the funds received will go to assist the fire victims, and contributions are tax deductible," Kotti explained.

Anyone wishing to contribute may send checks to the Hot Springs Fire Fund, PO Box 342, Hot Springs, SD 57747.

The management of the fund will be similar to a system that Chadron, Neb., used to gather and distribute funds to fire victims in Chadron last summer, according to a Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce news release.

An allocation committee has decided to distribute $1,000 to each of the 33 families that lost their homes. Checks should be distributed by early next week, Kotti said.

A fundraising committee hopes to raise $1 million to help the fire victims. That amount will allow adequate funds to meet most of the unmet needs envisioned, along with allowing some funds for land restoration to prevent further environmental damage to the area affected by the fire, according to the news release.

Fire victims are asked to contact the chamber and provide updated contact information so that funds can be distributed quickly. If victims have additional needs, they are asked to contact the chamber office at 745-4140.

The Hot Springs Housing Commission has made six to nine units available at Evans Apartments in Hot Springs or seven units available at Hillcrest in Edgemont for temporary housing for fire victims. For more information, call Vicki Thompson at 745-4067.

State forestry and local timber industry members will hold a meeting with all landowners affected by the fire at the Mueller Center at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 23, to discuss recovery of land and timber.

"A special thank you goes to the many volunteers who are answering phones and coordinating efforts at the chamber offices in the Mueller Civic Center," Kotti said. "The community of Hot Springs has been extremely grateful for the outpouring of compassion and support from neighboring communities for our fire victims. Our mood remains positive as victims are beginning the long recovery process."