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. The inversion lifted earlier yesterday than it has over the past few days, allowing helicopters to fly continuously most of the day to deliver bucket drops, primarily in the Willow Creek and Wilson Meadows areas. 

 

Fire behavior has been moderate, with little growth in acreage over the past few days. Activity on the fire edge has been mostly creeping, backing, and smoldering, allowing crews to attack the fire edge directly in many areas. With the forecast of low wind continuing into tomorrow, firefighters will keep going direct with mop up and containment activities. One of the most challenging areas for firefighters is the southeastern corner in the Willow Creek area, where geographic features make it too difficult for crews to engage head-on. Hand crews are digging a contingency line up the ridge of Collier Peak and down into the Willow Creek drainage in preparation for the possibility that the fire grows to the south. This strategy will help prevent it from hooking back around towards the Campbell Creek community. 
  

Weather: Hot, dry weather is expected to continue today, with smoke lingering in the valley due to atmospheric inversions. Afternoon gusts up to 20mph are forecast, similar to yesterday’s weather. By Thursday, the weather pattern will shift, bringing stronger winds, cooler temperatures, and slightly higher humidity. The chance of precipitation is low. 
 

Fire Restriction: There are currently no fire restrictions in the area, but residents and visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution if building campfires. Fire restrictions are determined by interagency guidelines including a “persistence of fire danger” in terms of fuel moisture levels and long term weather forecasts. For more information on local fire restrictions, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/vptsh85r   
 

Air Quality:  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/.  
 

Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek. The team’s number one priority is to get residents back into their homes as soon as possible. God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for evacuation level information. For local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160. 
 

Closure Information:  Access to hunting unit 32 A near the Fawn Creek area is very limited as the main route in from the west is in the closure area. A security guard is posted at the intersection of Cabarton and Snowbank Road and will not allow individuals through. The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/. 

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. The work is slow and tedious due to thick vegetation, deep duff and the potential for long-term smoldering and future ignition.
 
On the southern edge of the fire, safety concerns from steep terrain north and south of Willow Creek are hampering firefighter progress in establishing containment lines. Despite these geographical challenges crews installed hose lay in this area and started working west building line. Helicopters used precision water drops to focus on problematic areas allowing firefighters the opportunity to use water and hand tools to remove heat. A contingency line is being constructed to the south on Forest Road 404 along Olson Ridge.

The majority of smoke in the area is flowing in from wildfires located in Oregon.

Another tool available for adjacent landowners is the newly created Four Corner Interactive Story Map. A Story Map is a web application that integrates maps, legends, texts, photos, and videos to create an interactive experience for individuals to explore the fire incident. The interactive map provides property owners with another tool to gain more information on their property in relationship to the fire and suppression activities taking place nearby. Please keep in mind that this is just a tool and the perimeters and information shown are approximate and subject to change.  The Story Map can be located at the https://bit.ly/3Rl26cq
 
Weather: Temperatures will continue to be very warm with low humidity, smoke and areas of poor visibility. Today, winds are expected from the southwest ranging from 4-9 mph this afternoon with occasional gusts up to 20 mph on the ridge tops.
 
Fire Restriction: There are no fire restrictions in the area, but residents and visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution if building campfires during the holiday weekend. For more information on local fire restrictions, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/vptsh85r   

Air Quality:  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/

Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek. The team’s number one priority is trying to get residents back into their homes as soon as possible. God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for evacuation level information. For local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.

Closure Information:  Access to hunting unit 32 A near the Fawn Creek area is very limited as the main route in from the west is in the closure area. A security guard is posted at the intersection of Cabarton and Snowbank Road and will not allow individuals through. The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.
 

 

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

Yesterday’s wind event was less significant than forecasted. This moderated weather resulted in minimal movement along the fire perimeter. There was widespread interior torching, but no new threats to the constructed line were detected. Firefighters focused on the small spot fires that were slowing progress over the past week. The attention and patience of the crews working on these little pieces of line is time consuming, but critical to creating solid containment around the entire incident. 
Much of the smoke and heat produced yesterday was from Thursday’s strategic firing operations.  This was done to reduce fuels around hot spots above French Creek and Campbell Creek communities and keep fire from getting into the canopy.  Low intensity ground burns, where crews can work with weather to control the rate and intensity of spread is a common tool firefighters use to help stabilize containment lines.  Our top priority continues to be to protect the 454 threatened structures in the area to allow residents to return as soon as safely possible. Safety concerns from steep terrain north and south of Willow Creek are causing slow progress of containment on the south end of the fire. This is forcing firefighters to rely on air resources when weather conditions permit to prevent the fire from progressing further south. As a contingency, firefighters are constructing control lines using heavy equipment on Forest Road 404 along Olson Ridge and fortifying existing roads. Firefighters will continue to add depth on north and west containment lines to strengthen those lines. We expect conditions to remain hot and dry today, with the morning inversion keeping smoke in place during the morning hours.

As a reminder the Payette National Forest is holding a virtual community meeting today at 6pm. Operations will discuss daily events and provide an overview of future operations.
 
During this busy holiday weekend continue to be mindful of fire vehicles as you travel the roadways.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist through Wednesday. Today, calm winds are expected from the southwest ranging from 5-8 mph this afternoon with occasional gusts winds up to 15 mph on the ridge tops.
Fire Restriction: There are no fire restrictions in the area, but residents and visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution if building campfires during the holiday weekend. For more information on local fire restrictions, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/vptsh85r  
Air Quality:  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/
Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek. The team’s number one priority is trying to get individuals back into their homes as soon as possible. God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.
Closure Information:  Access to hunting unit 32 A near the Fawn Creek area is very limited as the main route in from the west is in the closure area. A security guard is posted at the intersection of Cabarton and Snowbank Road and will not be allowing individuals through. The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

A Virtual Community Meeting is Scheduled for September 4, 2022, at 6pm on the Payette National Forest Facebook Page.   
 
A RED FLAG WARNING is issued for the area. Fire crews are expecting it to bring high winds today. In anticipation of severe weather, crews capitalized on yesterday’s more moderate fire behavior to conduct strategic firing operations along much of the eastern edge to control the fire’s spread. By implementing low intensity firing along the forest floor, crews are able to safely reduce the amount of fuels that threaten the eastern communities, while preventing crown fires, and increase confidence that the constructed line will hold should conditions worsen. In addition, crews patrolled and mopped up containment lines along the west and northwest perimeter and scouted for any new hot spots. As fuels continue to dry, firefighters are seeing more heat pop up on the infrared flights.  

Today’s anticipated weather forecast and high fire danger pose concern for fire suppression activities and values at risk. Firefighters are prepared to deal with torching and high probability spot fires. A top priority will be securing the fire edge along French and Campbell creek, building contingency lines, and gridding out for undetected spotting. Willow Creek drainage is also an area of a concern and crews will be ready to engage when opportunities allow. Air support will focus its efforts on bucket drops in the Willow Creek to delay fire growth allowing crews time to safely engage and have a good exit route. Resources will make as much progress as conditions allow however high winds may ground air support. The consumption of unburned interior fuels will continue to produce visible smoke columns. 

Increased traffic is expected in the area due to the Holiday weekend and we ask the public to provide the right of way to fire traffic. Smoke in the area may reduce visibility.

Weather: A continuation of hot and dry conditions will remain across central Idaho. Fire danger has been elevated from Very High to Extreme. Unstable atmospheric conditions will persist through the holiday weekend. Today, winds will come from the southeast in the morning, shifting southwest by afternoon. By late afternoon, anticipate gusts of 30-40 mph on the ridgetops and in the drainages.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: There are no fire restrictions in the area but due to the Red Flag warning it is not advisable to build campfires during the holiday weekend. For more information on local fire restrictions, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/vptsh85r  

Air Quality:  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/. 

Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek. The team’s number one priority is trying to get individuals back into their homes as soon as possible. God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.  

Closure Information:  Access to hunting unit 32 A near the Fawn Creek area is very limited as the main route in from the west is in the closure area. A security guard is posted at the intersection of Cabarton and Snowbank Road and will not be allowing individuals through. The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/. 

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. 

Firefighters anticipate more fire activity over the next few days as temperatures increase and vegetation continues to dry. While firefighting efforts are engaged on all sides of the fire perimeter, a heavy emphasis is being placed on the eastern side, where numerous community homes are located. Additional crews are on order to continue efforts building containment lines west of the French Creek and Campbell Creek communities. Different types of vegetation in the area are affecting how clean the fire burns, which is leaving large portions of unburned fuel between homes and the fire. To bolster confidence in the containment lines crews are constructing, firefighters are working to remove that vegetation between the homes and the main fire front. This tactic will allow crews to mop up and remove heat along a “straight” edge, reducing the amount of active fire line. In addition to these efforts, crews are removing fuels around houses and laying hoses, pumps and sprinklers that can be used if the fire continues to progress down the mountain. Night patrols kept eyes on the fire and were ready to engage if anything potentially spotted near French and Campbell Creek. 

Aircraft continues to fly the fire and provide support for crews. While both water and retardant are generally effective tools in slowing fire spread, boots on the ground are a necessary piece of the puzzle to safeguard containment lines. Mopping up hotspots ensures that the fire won’t reignite when temperatures or winds increase.

Containment percentage dropped to 34% due to more accurate mapping as fire officials were able to get better eyes on the existing perimeter. Visitors over Labor Day Weekend should be cognizant heavy smoke will be in the valley and should consider adjusting plans if they have sensitive respiratory systems. For those traveling through Cascade, expect heavy fire traffic and drive slowly.  

Weather: Fire meteorologists are issuing a Fire Weather warning for Saturday as they expect strong winds up to 30 mph. Heat Advisory still remains in effect for portions of Central Idaho, including the Four Corners Fire vicinity.  Today, winds will be slightly weaker with temperatures a little warmer than Thursday.  Relative humidity will remain critically low.  The area fire area and surrounding vicinity is expected to be smoky and hazy. 

Air Quality:  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/. 

Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek. The team’s number one priority is trying to get individuals back into their homes as soon as possible. God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160. 

 

Closure Information:  Access to hunting unit 32 A near the Fawn Creek area is very limited as the main route in from the west is in the closure area. The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/. 
 
Personnel: 774
Hand Crews: 18
Engines: 43 
Helicopters: 7 Type 1, 2 Type 2, 2 Type 3

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

 

The fire was active yesterday with uphill runs and single and group tree torching observed.  On the east side of the fire, the fire continued to back down the slopes.   

 

Firefighters conducted burnout operations on the east side of the fire, bringing fire down to the road systems and constructed fireline.  Burnout operations is a tactic where firefighters intentionally set fire to fuels inside the control line to slow, knock down, or contain a rapidly spreading fire.  In Willow Creek, helicopters dropped water to hold the fire from crossing the drainage to the south.  On the west side of the fire, firefighters continue to patrol and mop up hot spots.   

 

Today, firefighters will continue to conduct burn out operations on the east side of the fire where needed to bring the fire to the control lines.  Firefighters continue to scout and create a plan for the Willow Creek area.  On the south side of the fire, west of Willow Creek, firefighters will continue to construct line and mop up hotspots near the line.  This area’s terrain is steep with many hazards.  Firefighters are making good progress, however, operations anticipate over a week’s worth of work in the area.  Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up hot spots on the west side of the fire.    

 

People traveling to Lake Cascade for Labor Day weekend, expect smoky conditions.  Wildfire smoke can be particularly harmful for sensitive groups including people with lung and cardiovascular conditions, pregnant women, children, and older people.  Learn more about staying healthy during wildfire smoke here https://bit.ly/3q3Y3oA.   
 
Weather: A Heat Advisory is in effect for portions of Central Idaho, including the Four Corners Fire vicinity.  Today, winds will be similar with temperatures a little cooler than Wednesday.  Relative humidity will remain critically low.  The fire area and surrounding vicinity is expected to be smoky and hazy. 
 
Air Quality:  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/. 

Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek.  God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations.  For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160. 

Closure Information:  The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/. 
 
TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED 
Personnel: 877 
Hand Crews: 21
Engines: 43
Helicopters: 7 T1; 2-T2; 1-T3  

  

 
 
 

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 carefully consider both weather and fire conditions to make decisions on when burning out along a containment line to ensure they can successfully achieve their intent of using the tactic. Another tactic employed yesterday included adding more dozer lines behind residential areas, connecting the fireline to existing roads to limit the fire’s spread towards homes. Hundreds of other firefighters continued protection actions around the residences, and used hand tools to work heat out of burned areas and to dig fireline. 

Ground crews and helicopters responded quickly when the fire breached fireline in the southern section. Firefighters put fireline around the approximately 2-acre spot west of Wilson Peak, and helicopters dropped water on the flames.
   The inversion that trapped smoke in Cascade is expected to let up later this week, but the fire is producing more smoke as the hot, dry conditions cause trees and other vegetation to burn more completely. A heat advisory is in effect until Sunday, with unseasonably warm temperatures today in the 80s and 90s.  Gusts of up to 20 miles per hour are forecast for Friday evening.

Thursday, Great Basin Team 4 will turn the command of the fire over to Great Basin Team 2 who will continue to issue fire information. The members of Team 4 would like to thank the local first responders, law enforcement, and many people in the community who supported the Four Corners Fire effort.
  Air Quality:  Around Cascade, smoke may once again reach unhealthy, and even very unhealthy, levels in the morning and evening.  Limiting outdoor physical activity when air quality deteriorates to these levels is advised.  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/.
  Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek.  God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.
  Closure Information:  The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

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.

Crews were able to keep the fire perimeter in check at the southern part of the fire, in the Willow Creek area. Sawyers are working to remove hazardous trees so firefighters can work in the area more safely, and brush removal continues on roads in the area. Loggers were able to haul log decks from the Moore Moth timber sale, protecting the timber’s value and reducing the heavy fuel load from the area.

Today’s weather will have above average temperatures and low humidity but light winds. Winds pick up Wednesday and Thursday, with gusts of up to 20 miles per hour forecast for Friday. Firefighters will be vigilant in making sure the elevated fire weather and winds do not increase fire activity in areas previously burned, and they are prepared to take action wherever necessary. While some crews will be dedicated to monitoring and patrolling the fireline that has been established, other crews will be working to build containment line to the south, where natural features, topography, and vegetation are favorable. Among the actions they will take will be digging handline, using equipment to remove vegetation, and conducting small burnouts, allowing fire to slowly consume vegetation under desirable conditions to reduce intensity and create containment lines where it’s effective to do so.

Air Quality:  Around Cascade, smoke may once again reach unhealthy, and even very unhealthy, levels in the morning and evening.  Limiting outdoor physical activity when air quality deteriorates to these levels is advised.  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/.

Evacuation Information: Team 4 and Valley County Sheriff are coordinating the continuous evaluation of current evacuations and will alter them as safe to do so.  As of now, evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek.  God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.

Closure Information:  The closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests was updated today to expand the area to the southeast. A full description and an accompanying map is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

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). Access is only from the north.  Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor contained fire line in that area to respond to any increase in fire activity as necessary.  Smoke will be visible from vegetation still smoldering well interior of the perimeter and does not need to be reported.

Crews from all sides of the fire reported successes slowing the fire’s spread. On the ridgelines to the west, crews continued removing vegetation and felling hazard trees to strengthen existing containment lines. To the southwest crews linked natural terrain features to extend and build handlines. Crews saw group torching of trees in key areas but continued to fortify existing containment lines. Aircraft got a late morning start due to the inversion but were able to fly in the afternoon. Scoopers dropped water on areas west of Wilson Peak while helicopter drops helped crews stabilize hot spots in the Hazard Creek drainage. Scoopers and helicopters have dropped nearly 5 million gallons of water on the water since it started.

Today will resemble Sunday with more stable weather and moderate fire activity. Crews will continue to improve containment and stabilize areas in south and southeastern edges of the fire as safety permits. Slightly warmer temperatures and light winds are forecast. A warming trend will begin Tuesday as temperatures and winds gradually increase then peak into Thursday. Critical fire weather conditions may develop by the end of week.
 
A recording of last night’s virtual information meeting is available on the Payette National Forest Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest.
 

Air Quality:  A repeat of Sunday’s inversion will bring continued stable conditions that may limit air movement.  Those with sensitivities should limit outdoor activities at least until the inversion lifts, which is expected to occur mid to late morning.  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/.

Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff evacuation orders (Go) are still in place for residents of Campbell Creek and French Creek.  God’s Acres residents are in the pre-evacuation stage (Set). Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.

Closure Information:  The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.   

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.
 
The arrival of shifting winds gusting up to 33 mph from a cold front shaped events at the Four Corners fire yesterday. The fire grew by just over 1,000 acres and now has a 117-mile perimeter. The southeast side of the fire was very active, and firefighters focused on fire activity in the Hazard Creek and Willow Creek drainages. As firefighters worked in heavy smoke and dense vegetation, water scooping planes and helicopters – including a Chinook helicopter capable of flying in adverse conditions – dropped water along the ridges of Hazard Creek and on smaller fires ignited by falling embers within a half-mile of structures in Campbell Creek. 

Despite challenging winds and smoke in all areas of the fire, good progress continues on the western and northern edges of the fire where firefighters are increasing containment lines. Fire crews constructing handline have reached Wilson Peak from the west side and will continue progressing to the east directly along the fire perimeter as safe and practicable and evaluating additional actions to limit fire spread.

For Sunday, crews will continue to maintain structure protection efforts on the east side. To the south, fire managers expect little fire spread to the west. Fire crews will continue to build fireline and to prevent spread to heavy vegetation in the area. Calmer conditions will prevail across the fire area with drier conditions and light southwest winds up to 10 mph. A low- to mid-level inversion layer will hold smoke but lift by mid-morning. Sunday and Monday, fire activity is expected to be slower due to cooler temperatures in the 70s with light winds. Fire activity overall will pick up as temperatures and higher winds gradually increase starting Tuesday then peaking on Thursday. Fire managers expect critical fire weather conditions by the end of week. 
 
Air Quality:  A heavy inversion is expected Sunday morning as stable conditions will limit air movement.  Those with sensitivities should limit outdoor activities at least until the inversion lifts, which is expected to occur mid to late morning.  Specific information about local smoke levels, forecasts, and possible health impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/cc0ac676/.
 
Evacuation Information: Valley County Sheriff has issued evacuation orders (Go) for area residents of Campbell Creek, God’s Acres, and French Creek. Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready). Please visit www.wildlandfirersg.org for information on packing and preparing for evacuations. For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.
 
Closure Information:  The complete closure order for the Boise and Payette National Forests – including a full description and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.