FIRE UPDATE – July 24, 2000 - 11:30 AM

CLEAR CREEK FIRE

The Clear Creek Fire, located 20 miles west of Salmon, Idaho, grew to 44,000 acres Sunday as the fire crossed Gant Ridge and made major runs just south of there. The fire also made short, intense runs in the Beaver Creek drainage. One of the objectives today is to stop the fire’s progress in the area of Beaver Creek east of Wagon Road Gulch. Another goal is to hold the fire’s southward movement at Gant Creek. Fire intensity has been very high in this area during the last few days with some spotting into Mud Lick Creek occurring yesterday.

Firelines on the northwest side of the fire near the Salmon River held, due in large part to successful burnout operations. This area was tied into the old Dome Lake Fire on Sunday. With this area relatively secure, the helicopter base at Cove Creek has been re-located to the old Cobalt town site. This change will provide quicker response of fire suppression aircraft to the south end of the fire.

The Clear Creek Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire, has been aggressively fought since it was discovered on July 10. Protection of the lives of both residents and firefighters, as well as the saving of property, has been the number one concern of fire management officials since that time.

Rehabilitation of a fireline at a powerline located to the south of the fire was completed.

There will be further updates as more information becomes available. Fire maps are available at the Salmon-Challis National Forest office on Highway 93 south of Salmon. For additional fire information please call: 208-756-5283. Information on these fires has been posted on the Salmon-Challis National Forest web page. You can access this web page on the internet at. www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/fire2000

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