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Evacuations were elevated this morning due to increased activity overnight on the Four Corners Fire and the forecast weather conditions today. The Valley County Sheriff has issued evacuation orders (Go) for area residents of Campbell Creek south to Raspberry Road. The Sheriff’s Office is closing the area and making notifications through Code Red. Please evacuate immediately if you are asked to and travel southbound on west Mountain Road due to the closure to the north. Follow Cabarton Road and flagging to Kelly’s Whitewater Park.

Yesterday, cooler temperatures mellowed fire behavior on the Four Corners Fire. Fire activity was primarily along the ridge above Hazard Creek and north of Wilson Peak in subalpine fir along ridges and in insect-killed timber. Smoke coming from the lower portions of the fire, near Lake Cascade, is from scattered areas of the fire that continue to smolder and consume patches of unburned brush as it slowly spreads downhill.

Hotter and drier conditions on the Four Corners Fire yesterday increased activity with active burning in the southeastern area north of Hazard Creek and Stewarts Meadow. By afternoon, the smoke plume was visible and scooper planes worked steadily to dampen the fire and slow its progress. This area of the fire has been consuming vegetation in a basin that would be difficult for firefighters to work in due to difficult and steep terrain.

The Four Corners Fire, started by a lightning strike on August 13, is now at 8,361 acres.

Prepared for high winds emerging from two colliding cold fronts, firefighters on the Four Corners Fire made the most of the situation yesterday when the storms to the north and the east skirted the fire area. Fire crews completed defensive preparations around God’s Acres and made significant progress in the French Creek residential area. Mastication equipment is removing roadside brush to improve access into and out of Campbell Creek residences, and firefighters are reducing vegetation and setting up hoses along fireline near private property.

Start date: 8/13/22 Cause: Lightning Size: 7,986 acres Percent Containment: 4% Helicopters: 7 Engines: 36 Crews: 16 Dozers: 5 Total Personnel: 603

Today, Sunday, August 21 at 7 PM, a Facebook live virtual meeting will be held to share an overview of the fire situation and expected actions. The meeting can be accessed on the Payette National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest.

Additional crews, engines, and aerial resources arrived yesterday to assist in firefighting efforts. This morning, fire behavior is expected to remain moderated due to cooler, wetter weather. Crews will take advantage of the weather and continue constructing containment lines. Aerial resources continue to assist crews on the ground. In areas where crews cannot safely work directly along the fire perimeter, they are looking at natural barriers to contain fire spread.

Fire activity on the Four Corners Fire, especially near French Creek, moderated today. It was slowly backing down the slopes, with limited tree torching. This allowed firefighters to work directly along the fire’s perimeter and to scout areas that can be used as containment lines. There has been no reported loss of structures. Existing firelines along the northwestern edge have been tested by the wind and have held for several days.  Fire managers hope to begin calling it contained soon.