Fire Update Thursday, July 13, 2000

The Clear Creek fire in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness grew another 200 acres yesterday and is now approximately 600 acres. It has burned as far north east as Elk Horn Creek. Crews are continuing burn-out operations along the south flank of the fire along Clear Creek. They have been successful in keeping the fire from reaching Clear Creek so far.

The Iron Creek fire on the Salmon/Cobalt Ranger District reached 40 acres Wednesday afternoon. Retardant drops were successful in slowing the growth of the fire. The fire was 75 percent contained by Thursday morning. Approximately 60 people are on the fire, many of which have worked nonstop since the fire was reported and are in need of a break. Additional crews have been ordered.

The West Horse Creek fire in the FCRONR Wilderness was called in Wednesday afternoon by fire lookouts in Montana and on the Salmon-Challis NF. Two people were dispatched to the fire and suppressed it. The cause of the fire was lightning from thunder clouds on Wednesday.

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/fire.

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