Thursday, July 1, 2004 11:00 MST

At the briefing this morning we were advised the burned areas were 926 acres (800 acres reported in the news release). Except for a very small "slop over" area, the fire is inside the cut line perimeter. With hotter daytime temperatures and a drier atmosphere expected today (relative humidity 9% - 14%), fire behavior could pick up toward mid day.

We have 275 firefighters on the ground today.

It was reported this morning that on a New Mexico fire, an accident sent 6 persons to the hospital -- one of the Bitterroot hot shot vehicles collided head on with an oncoming public vehicle. Please remind all personnel on the mountain to drive careful, courteous, and slow.

John Ratje