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 – 9 September 2000, 8:00 AM

Important information for your safety…

Fires are still active in the area. Although recent rains lessened fire activity, daytime temperatures are rising and winds are drying vegetation. Fires can rekindle in these conditions, 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 Restriction for this area.

Area and Road Closures

Big Game Hunting Unit 28: National Forest and BLM lands, roads and trails are closed due to ongoing fire suppression efforts on the Clear Creek Fire.

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.

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

Fire Restrictions

Stage I fire restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest:

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.

Stage II restrictions are in effect on Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in Custer and Lemhi Counties. Stage II restrictions include the items listed above. In addition, the following acts are prohibited between 1:00 PM and 1:00 AM:

1. Operating internal combustion engine-powered devices such as chainsaws and generators.

2. Operating motorized vehicles off developed roads and trails.

3. Blasting, welding and other activities that generate flame or flammable 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: 77%

Estimated Date of Full Containment: September 30

Resources: 1,502 people, 16 helicopters, 27 engines, 9 dozers.

Injuries: 0

Current Situation: Firefighters continued to make progress on mop-up yesterday. Significant fireline rehabilitation is also being accomplished. Hotshot crews and several Marine companies are working on the Marlin Springs Fire. The fire near Dome Lake on the northwestern perimeter of the Clear Creek Fire is nearing containment. Warmer, drier weather is increasing fire activity.

Salmon-Challis Wilderness Complex

Acreage: 182,600 acres

Location: Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Percentage Contained: 0%

Estimated Date of Full Containment: Unknown

Resources: 16 people

Injuries: None

Current Situation: The increase in acreage (2,000 acres) results from improved mapping. Fire activity has been low, although some active burning was observed yesterday in the Kitchen Creek area of the Butts Fire. Crews continue to clear portions of the Camas Creek Trail where fire has left debris.

Other Important Information

People who have suffered residential losses (such as smoke damage) in the fires 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 will open a temporary field office in the Salmon City office building on Tuesday, 12 September. 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.

Fire maps are available at the Salmon-Challis National Forest office on Highway 93 south of Salmon. 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).