To: NATIONAL EDITORS Contact: Lauren Horwood of the U.S.

By Denny Walsh, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Jul. 22--In a landmark case, the federal government will announce a $102 million settlement today with the Union Pacific Railroad Co. over a forest fire that devastated a massive national forest area near the Feather River Canyon eight years ago.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ In a landmark case, the federal government will announce a $102 million settlement today with the Union Pacific Railroad Co. over a forest fire that devastated a massive national forest area near the Feather River Canyon in California eight years ago.

By Niesha Lofing, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Sep. 5--A fire sweeping through the Plumas National Forest tripled in size overnight, prompting some evacuations of scattered residences in the Lights Creek area. Smoke from the fire also is creating hazy conditions in the Sacramento region today.