Incidents All News

It’s been 36 hours since strategic firing operations were completed on the eastern flank of the fire with the objective of protecting the properties along West Mountain Road, and the lines are holding. Mop up operations are ongoing, which include digging up hot stumps and roots, cutting up smoldering logs, applying water where possible, removing hazard trees, and sifting through deep ash beds for heat. Steep, rugged terrain, deep duff, and thick brush create a challenge for crews on the ground, but firefighters have been making progress reducing heat along the fire’s edge.

Our top priority is to protect the 454 threatened structures in the French Creek and Campbell Creek areas so residents can return as soon as safely possible. Limited fire growth occurred yesterday, therefore pending any unforeseen changes in the fire, residents may be able to return mid-week. The sheriff will be making those notifications.  On the eastern perimeter crews worked up the hill focusing on removing heat from burning vegetation. Engines and crews are on-site to aid in the protection of the structures if needed.

A Virtual Community Meeting is scheduled for today, September 4, 2022, at 6pm on the Payette National Forest Facebook Page

A Virtual Community Meeting is Scheduled for September 4, 2022, at 6pm on the Payette National Forest Facebook Page.    

Fire activity was moderated by smoke from Oregon fires. Operational tactics were successful yesterday with crews completing line along the Forest 435 spur road and tying in line along the Forest 435 P1 to the Willow Creek Road. The fire continues to slowly back down the eastern slope and remains north of the Willow Creek Drainage. 

Great Basin Team 2, Incident Commander Tony DeMasters, took command of the Four Corners Fire this morning at 6:00 a.m.    

Firefighters took advantage of lighter winds to increase direct line near threatened residences on Lake Cascade’s west side. Four Corners Fire containment increased to 39% Tuesday, as successful burnout operations reduced grass and brush near roads and other fireline features. Burning out involves the construction of fireline a distance from the main fire and intentionally burning grass and brush along the line. This allows firefighters a higher degree of success in containing fireline in challenging locations, including along steep slopes and in heavy vegetation.

Firefighters boosted containment of the Four Corners Fire to 28% Monday, as they strengthened fireline near Wilson Peak. Warm, dry conditions teamed up with steep slopes and heavy timber to produce an active fire day. Fire growth was just about 1,000 acres. A significant effort focused on the southwest end of Lake Cascade above private property, cooling hot spots with helicopter bucket drops and hard work from hand crews. Scoopers did not drop water on the fire yesterday due to limited visibility.  They require three miles of clear visibility to work over the fire.

A low-level inversion kept smoke hovering over Lake Cascade yesterday, moderating fire activity on the Four Corners Fire.  Firefighters took advantage of the lower wind speeds and cool temperatures to fortify fire lines and expand the containment perimeter to 24%. This progress enabled the Valley County Sherriff to lift the evacuation order for God’s Acres and allow homeowners only to return home late Sunday afternoon in the pre-evacuation stage (Set).

Tonight, Sunday, August 28 at 5 PM, a Facebook live virtual meeting will be held to share an update on the Four Corners Fire and evacuations. The meeting can be openly accessed on the Payette National Forest Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest.