NEWS RELEASE

Salmon Interagency Dispatch Upper Columbia - Salmon Clearwater District BLM Salmon - Challis National Forest Rural Route 2, Box 600 Salmon, Idaho 83467

For immediate release

Contact: Salmon-Challis Fire Information Center (208) 756-5283

Fire and Closure Update – 14 September 2000, 8:00 AM

Important information for your safety…

Fires are still active in some areas. As daytime temperatures rise, vegetation starts to dry. Fires can rekindle, so forest users should be cautious. Also, remember that:

§ burned trees and limbs can fall without warning.

§ cavities left where tree stumps and roots have burned out are a hazard for hikers and pack stock.

§ rocks and logs may roll down slopes where anchoring vegetation has burned away.

§ landslides and flash floods are possible where loss of vegetation has exposed unstable soils.

A caution for pilots: Extensive air operations involving helicopters continue. Contact FAA for information about the Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) for this area.

Area and Road Closures

Big Game Hunting Unit 28: National Forest roads and trails are closed due to ongoing fire suppression efforts on the Clear Creek Fire. On BLM lands within Unit 28, non-motorized access (including hiking, horseback riding and bicycling) is allowed. The closure of motorized travel remains in effect on BLM lands in Unit 28.

The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness: All wilderness lands, trails and airstrips are open except for the portion of the wilderness lying in Hunting Unit 28. The Salmon River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon are open. Vehicle access to the eastern part of the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness is unavailable because roads entering Unit 28 are closed. This affects access to the Camas Creek, Yellowjacket, Big Horn Crags and Clear Creek trails.

Morgan Creek Road (FS #055) is open to Morgan Creek Summit.

-more-

Fire Restrictions

Stage I fire restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in Lemhi and Custer counties:

Fires are permitted only in developed areas such as campgrounds and picnic sites that have constructed fire rings. Propane or LPG fueled stoves are permitted. Sheepherder stoves are prohibited. People floating the Salmon and Middle Fork Rivers under permit may have fires in metal fire pans.

Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles or buildings, in developed recreation sites, or in an area three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all burnable material.

Fires

Media representatives are required to contact the Salmon-Challis Fire Information Office

at 208-756-5283 for escorts into the fire area.

Information that has changed from the previous report is shown in italics.

Clear Creek Complex (includes the Clear Creek and Marlin Springs fires)

Acreage: 206,379 acres Location: 12 miles west of Salmon

Percentage Contained: 83% for Clear Creek Fire; 85% for Marlin Springs

Estimated Date of Full Containment: September 30

Resources: 1,512 people, 15 helicopters, 14 engines, 6 dozers Injuries: 0

Current Situation: Fire activity increased significantly with warmer, drier weather, yesterday. Smoldering and creeping fire predominated, with some burning out of heavy, down fuels and incidental torching. Mop-up, patrol and rehabilitation of dozer lines used in fire suppression are continuing.

Other Important Information

People who have suffered residential losses (such as smoke damage) due to the wildfires this summer may register with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Call toll-free 1-800-462-9029 (or for speech-impaired people, 1-800-462-7545). Recovery specialists take registrations from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (MDT) seven days a week.

The Small Business Administration has opened a temporary field office in the Salmon City office building. Any local business is eligible to apply for a working capital loan for economic injury.

For information on hunting permits, contact Idaho Fish and Game at 208-756-2271.

For more fire information call (208) 756-5283 or log on to the Salmon-Challis National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/fire2000 (click the refresh button to be sure you have the most recent version).