<HTML>A new fire is now burning to the north of Bishop on Sherwin Grade. They are calling this the "Birch Fire". It started this morning along Birch Creek and quickly spread to over 1000 acres. The small community of Swall Meadows has been evacuated. Also evacuated are all of the campgrounds, the pack station, and lodge in Rock Creek Canyon. Toms Place is on alert for possible evacuation. As of 7:00pm, Hwy 395 is still open but could be closed at any time. A huge plume of smoke has been visible from Bishop all day long. There are tankers and helicopters working this fire.</HTML>