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 Fire Information Center (208) 756-5283

Clear Creek Fire Update – August 2, 6 a.m.

The Clear Creek fire grew to 91,000 acres yesterday but much of the fire activity was low to moderate.The fire continued to move south towards Blackbird Mountain and in an overall southerly direction.Efforts will continue focusing on structure protection, line construction and preparation for burnout operations.

Very low relative humidity and high temperatures are still hindering containment. Relative humidity is expected to be down 3 percent from yesterday to 17 percent today.Hot and dry weather is expected to remain in the area over the next several days.

The injured firefighter who experienced burns on his arm and neck has been treated and was released yesterday morning from Steele Memorial Hospital in Salmon.

The Salmon River road from North Fork to Corn Creek is open to all users and restrictions have beenlifted on floating activities in the recreational section of the Salmon River. Floaters headed to Corn Creek for trips down the wild section of the river should be aware of new lightning fire starts that may be observed from the river corridor. Stage II fire restrictions being implemented on Saturday, August 5 will still allow fires or charcoal in fire pans by permitted floaters on the Middle Fork and Salmon Rivers.

Further updates will be distributed as 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 or log on to the Salmon-Challis National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/fire2000.