3C279 intense optical outburst confirmed Following observations have been reported: YYYYMMDD(UT) mag observer 20000421.926 <142 (G. Poyner) 20000423.035 <150 (G. Poyner) 20000423.557 <137 (H. Itoh) 20000423.975 <154 (C. P. Jones) 20000424.601 13.68Ic (S. Kiyota) 20000425.242 153V (S. O'Connor) 20000426.958 <154 (C. P. Jones) 20000429.628 <137 (H. Itoh) 20000429.962 157 (C. P. Jones) 20000429.969 152 (G. Poyner) 20000430.948 <150 (G. Poyner) 20000501.978 <150 (G. Poyner) 20000502.549 134 (H. Itoh) 20000503.889 133 (P. A. Dubovsky) 20000504.106 13.41V (S. O'Connor) 20000504.174 135 (B. King) 20000504.176 13.51V (S. O'Connor)