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:Bill Beebe (208) 756-5283 or Kent Fuellenbach (208) 756-5145

CLEAR CREEK UPDATEJuly 27, 2000 1730

The Clear Creek Fire has escaped containment lines on the south and has crossed Big Deer Creek and Panther Creek near their confluence.Fire Officials are evacuating persons from this area, including those working at the Blackbird Mine.

Dense smoke and extremely rough terrain is limiting suppression efforts and preventing fire officials from accurately mapping the fire in the area of the escape.

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 atwww.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/fire2000.

###