Fire Information: Office Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM                             Phone:  559-539-2607 ext. 2212

Email:  denise.alonzo@usda.gov                                                           Inciweb Updates:  Wishon Fire

Facebook: Sequoia NF Facebook                                                                Twitter: Sequoia NF Twitter

Instagram: Sequoia NF Instagram                                                          Website: Sequoia NF Website

Location: Sequoia National Forest, Tule River Canyon                           Percent Contained: 45%

Start Date: August 15, 2022                                                                 Structures Lost: 0                                           

Cause: Under Investigation                                                                   Suppression Strategy: Full Suppression

Size: 350 acres                                                                                      Number of Personnel Assigned: 282

Fire History: On August 15, 2022 firefighters from the US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Tulare County and other cooperators responded to a fire in the Tule River Canyon near The Stairs on the Western Divide Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest. Initial responding resources included 9 engines, 14 hand crews, 5 helicopters, 6 airtankers and an air attack. On August 17, resources from California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 will assist with suppression efforts.

Fire Activity & Suppression Update: Observed fire activity has been minimal around the fire perimeter in the last 12 hours allowing crews and aircraft to make substantial progress. Despite above average temperatures, regional thunderstorms and accompanying outflow winds did not impact the fire area. The fire is being driven primarily by topography and fuels which include, grass, heavy brush and oak. In addition to current suppression activities, firefighters are utilizing natural barriers and fire lines from previous fire control lines. There have been no reported injuries.

Weather Forecast: Temperatures will be well above normal in the afternoons. Additionally, monsoonal moisture will allow for chances of afternoon thunderstorms near the fire area over the next few days. Winds will be primarily light and terrain-driven, except for the possibility of gusty and erratic outflow winds produced by thunderstorms.

Air Quality: Current impacts to air quality from the Wishon Fire are expected to be minimal. To check on air quality for your area, or wherever you are visiting, check: airnow.gov.  For the air quality at Camp Wishon check:  Camp Wishon

Evacuations & Closures: The Tulare County Sheriff has lifted all evacuation warnings including Wishon Camp and Doyle Springs. And the California Highway Patrol has lifted all road closures. However due to the presence of fire personnel, heavy equipment and utility companies working in the area, the public is advised to avoid traveling on Hwy. 190 and Wishon Drive. A power outage due to the fire is reported east of Balch Park. The communities of Doyle Springs, Camp Nelson, Pierpoint, and Ponderosa are currently without power. 

Firefighter & Public Safety: Firefighters and support resources are following CDC protocols as they pertain to COVID. We respect the safety and health of our crews as well as the public and we thank the public for welcoming us into your community and your continued patience.

Aviation / Drone Restrictions: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), (5-mile radius of the fire, and http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org/.                             “If you fly, we can’t!”

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Kootenai National Forest

Rexford Ranger District

Road and Trail Closure

The South Fork is open for floating the river through the fire area - stopping or camping within the closure area is not allowed.

 An expanded closure order is in place and encompasses the areas below:

• Beginning at the junction of NFS Trail (NFST) #122 (Southfork Salmon River Trail) and Fall Creek in Section 17, Township 23 North, Range 8 East, then along NFST #122 (Southfork Salmon River Trail) to its junction with NFS Road (NFSR) #337 in Section 13, Township 22 North, Range 7 East, then along NFSR #337 to its junction with Big Flat Creek in Section 23, Township 22 North, Range 7 East;
• Continuing west along Big Flat Creek to NFSR #355 at Buck Saddle in Section 21, Township 22 North, Range 7 East, then along NFS Road #355 north to its junction with NFSR #356 in Section 4, Township 22 North, Range 7 East;
• Continuing along NFSR #356 to its junction with NFST #126 (Raines Creek/Slaughter Gulch Trail) in Section 33, Township 23 North, Range 7 East, then along NFST #126 its junction with NFST #112 (Raines Creek Trail) in Section 18, Township 23 North, Range 8 East, then along NFST #112 Raines Creek Trail to its junction with Raines Creek in Section 18, Township 23 North, Range 8 East;
• Continuing along Raines Creek and ending at its junction with NFST #122 (Southfork Salmon River Trail) in Section 17, Township 23 North, Range 8 East.

Closed Roads:

• All NFS Roads within the Closed Area but excluding all NFS Roads bordering the Closed Area (NFSR 337 and 355).

Closed Trails:

• All NFS Trails within and bordering the Closed Area (NFST 122, 125, and 126).
• NFST #125, Porphyry Creek Trail, which is outside the Closed Area, beginning in Section 4, Township 22 North, Range 8 East, and ending at its junction with NFST #018 (Horse Heaven Trail) located in Section 31, Township 23 North, Range 9 East.

The Closed Area, Roads, and Trails are located within the McCall Ranger District, Payette National Forest, Valley County, Idaho, Boise Meridian.

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

Fire crews working in hot and dry conditions made progress Sunday on several sections of the Four Corners Fire. They removed hazard trees and vegetation, cut fireline, and installed pumps and hoses near homes on the western edge of Lake Cascade to make structures there more defensible. Heavy equipment was employed to masticate, or mulch, and brush off the road near Campbell’s Creek.  Additional interagency hotshot crews arrived and identified areas on the southwestern part of the fire where firefighting tactics could be successful. Crews in this area were also able to put fireline around a spot that sparked well outside the fire perimeter when a brief, gusty thunderstorm passed through on Saturday.

Today, fire crews are preparing for afternoon storms with strong winds, gusting up to 30 mph. Meteorologists caution that the fire area may be caught between two storm systems, from the north and the east, and as a result wind direction may shift from south-southwest to west-northwest later in the day. Firefighters will be on the lookout for erratic fire behavior and hazard trees. Safety of the public and firefighters is the first priority on this and all wildland fires.

For information on local area smoke levels and possible health impacts, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.  Boaters on Lake Cascade should be cautious on the water and aware that water scooping planes and helicopters may use any area of the lake as needed to draw water. Additionally, use caution when along Lakeshore Drive due to the increase in traffic.

Evacuation Information:  Residences in God’s Acres and French Creek are under evacuation status (Go).  The Campbell Creek area is under pre-evacuation notice (Set).  Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready).  Please visit https://www.wildlandfirersg.org/ for information on packing and preparing for evacuations.  Kelly’s Whitewater Park is open to evacuees.  For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.

Closure Information:  The Payette and Boise National Forests have enacted a closure area to protect the public and firefighters.  The complete closure order – including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

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.

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.
 
Crews were also able to use natural features and rocky areas to make progress by starting to connect containment lines on the northwestern area of the fire with the western edges. In the upper elevations, the fire is primarily spreading when a groups of trees torch in flames that send embers ignite surrounding dry vegetation. 
 
Tomorrow, crews, engines, and aerial resources will continue to actively fight the fire by building more firelines around the fire and connecting trails, roads, hand constructed fireline, and dozer lines. Aerial resources will assist crews on the ground, although an inversion may impact their ability to do so in the morning. 
 
These written evening updates will be released dependent upon fire activity. Current information can always be found on social media and Inciweb.
 
Lake Cascade is open; however, boaters should be cautious on the water and aware that the aircraft may use any area of the lake as needed to draw water. Additionally, use caution when along Lakeshore Drive due to the increase in traffic. Travel slowly and with lights on for safety.
 
Virtual Information Meeting:  On Sunday, August 21 at 7 PM, a Facebook live virtual meeting will be held to share an overview of the fire situation. The meeting can be accessed on the Payette National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest.
 
Evacuation Information:  Residences in God’s Acres and French Creek are under evacuation status (Go).  The Campbell Creek area is under pre-evacuation notice (Set).  Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready).  Please visit https://www.wildlandfirersg.org/ for information on packing and preparing for evacuations.  Kelly’s Whitewater Park is open to evacuees.  For more information on evacuations and local support, call the Valley County Sheriff's Office at 208.382.5160.

Closure Information:  For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Payette and Boise National Forests expanded the area closure order today.  The complete closure order – including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

 
 

Order Number: 0402-04-92UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 FOREST SERVICE
  BOISE & PAYETTE NATIONAL FORESTS
 CASCADE, EMMETT, & COUNCIL RANGER DISTRICT
 Four Corners Fire Area Closure
 (For Public Safety)

PROHIBITIONS:

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Cascade and Emmett Ranger Districts, Boise National Forest, and the Council Ranger District, Payette National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order in Exhibit A (“Closed Area, Roads, and Trails”).

1.     Going into or being upon the Closed Area. 36 CFR 261.52(e)

2.     Being on the Closed Trails. 36 CFR 261.55(a)

3.     Being on the Closed Roads. 36 CFR 261.54 (e)

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1.     Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

2.     Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

3.     Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.

CLOSED AREA, ROADS AND TRAILS:

Closed Area: All NFS lands within the following boundaries:

Beginning at the junction of NFS Road (NFSR) 422 (West Mountain) and the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary in T14N, R3E, Section 33 and T13N, R3E Section 3;

Continuing east along the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary to the water’s edge of Cascade Reservoir in T14N, R3E, Section 34 and T14N, R3E, Section 3, then northwest along the water’s edge to the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary in T15N, R3E, Section 31;
 

Continuing along the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary in T15N, R2E, Section 36; then north along the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary in T15N, R2E, Section 25 and T15N, R3E, Section 30;
 

Continuing north along the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary to NFSR 422 in T16N, R3E, Section 29; then north along the water’s edge to the Boise National Forest Proclaimed Boundary and intersection of NFSR 422 in T16N, R3E, Section 19;
 

Continuing north along NFSR 50186 in T16N, R3E, Section 19 to the Valley County/Adams County line in T16N, R2E, Section 2; then south along and including NFSR 218 from the Valley County/Adams County line to its junction with NFSR 692 in T16N, R2E, Section 35;
 

Continuing south and west along NFSR 692 to its junction with Adams County 186 Road (Middle Fork Road) in T15N, R2E, Section 4; then south along Adams County 186 Road to its junction with NFSR 206 in T15N, R2E, Section 8;
 

Continuing south along NFSR 206 to its junction with NFSR 214 in T14N, R2E, Section 8; then south along NFSR 206 to its junction with NFSR 618 in T13N, R1E, Section 1;

Continuing south along NFSR 618 to its junction with Squaw Creek Road (Road 618)

in T13N, R1E, Section 13; then south along Squaw Creek Road to its junction with NFSR 653 in T12N, R1E, Section 14;

Continuing east along NFSR 653 to its junction with NFSR 607 in T12N, R2E, Section 8; then east along NFSR 607 to its junction with NFSR 653 in T12N, R2E, Section 10;

Continuing southwest along NFSR 653 to its junction with NFSR 609 in T12N, R2E, Section 10; then south along NFSR 609 to its junction with NFSR 609G (Renwyck Creek Trailhead Parking Area) in T12N, R2E, Section 15;

Continuing south along NFSR 609 to its junction with NFST399 in T12N, R2E, Section 22; then north along NFST 399 to its junction with NFST 398 in T12N, R2E, Section 23; then south along NFST 398 to its junction with NFST 396 in T12N, R2E, Section 23;

Continuing north along NFST 396 to its junction with NFST 397 in T12N, R2E, Section 23 to its junction with NFSR 622 in T12N, R2E, Section 24;
 

Continuing northeast along NFSR 622 to its junction with NFST 394 in T12N, R2E, Section 24; then north along NFST 394 to its junction with NFST 137 in T12N, R2E, Section 24; then northeast along NFST 137 to its junction with NFST 131 in T12N, R3E, Section 17;
 

Continuing north along NFST 131 to the dividing ridge between the Cascade and Emmett Ranger District in T12N, R3E, Section 6; then north along the ridge to NFSR 446;
 

Continuing east along NFSR 446 to the Intersection of Clear Creek road at Cabarton in T12N, R3E, Section 36; and
 

Continuing north along the Forest Service Proclaimed Boundary to where it intersects with NFSR 422 in T14N, R3E, Section 33 and T13N, R3E Section 3.

Closed Roads:

All NFS Roads with the Closed Area.
NFS Roads bordering the Closed Area:

• INCLUDED/CLOSED: NFSR 422, NFSR 218, NFSR 692, NFSR 168, NFSR 206, NFSR 446, NFSR 422
• EXCLUDED/OPEN: NFSR 653, NFSR 609G, Renwyck Creek Trailhead Parking Area, NFSR 609, and NFSR 622, NFSR 50186, NFSR 618

Closed Trails:

All NFS Trails within the Closed Area.

• INCLUDED/CLOSED: NFST 131 and 133
• EXCLUDED/OPEN: NFST 560, 399, 398, 396, 394, and 137

PURPOSE:

To protect public safety during active firefighting operations.

IMPLEMENTATION:

1.     This Order will be in effect August 20, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. and shall remain in effect until September 30, 2022, at 5:00 P.M.

2.     A map identifying the Four Corners Fire Area is attached and made part of this Order.

3.     A violation of the above prohibition(s) is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. [16 U.S.C § 551, 18 U.S.C §§ 3559, 3571, 3581].

4.     Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Boise Forest Supervisor’s Office (208) 373-4100, in Boise, ID and the Payette Forest Supervisor’s Office (208) 634-0700 in McCall, ID.

Done at McCall, Idaho this _20___ day of August 2022.

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. Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop again this afternoon and may bring brief heavy downpours over the fire area with gusty outflow winds.

Heavy smoke was prevalent over the Four Corners Fire area today.  Winds were light, which led to decreased visibility and limited aviation operations.  Overall, the fire was far less active today than it was yesterday.  Firefighters were able to better assess yesterday’s fire growth and continue planning the best strategies to contain the fire.  The fire has burned very rapidly through subalpine fir but slows when it reaches draws with green vegetation and more moisture.

More fire crews and engines arrived on the fire today and began work on the eastern edge of the fire, where the fire is closest to the lake.  They are constructing fireline and removing vegetation on public lands adjacent to private property in order to slow the fire’s spread as it advances and allow firefighters to more easily contain it on the eastern edge.  On the northern side of the fire, crews made good progress in constructing containment lines and working directly along the fire’s edge.  On the west, the fire has burned into very rocky terrain, where it is spreading slowly through sections of timber.  Firefighters will use existing roads and trails as fire containment lines, where they have a higher chance of success in containing the fire.This evening, thunderstorms passed to the south of the fire area, raising humidity.  Gusty winds have been observed but have not significantly impacted the fire directly.  Milder weather conditions will remain for the next few days, then warmer and drier air will return.  

 Lake Cascade is open; however, boaters should be cautious on the water and aware that the aircraft may use any area of the lake as needed to draw water.  Additionally, use caution when along Lakeshore Drive due to the increase in traffic.  Travel slowly and with lights on for safety.  

 Virtual Information Meeting:  On Sunday, August 21 at 7 PM, a virtual meeting will be held to share an overview of the fire situation.  More information on accessing the meeting will be provided tomorrow.

 Evacuation Information:  Residences in God’s Acres and French Creek are under evacuation status (Go) and the area is closed except to firefighting traffic and local officials.  The Campbell Creek area is under pre-evacuation notice (Set).  Others in the vicinity are encouraged to consider evacuation preparations (Ready).  Please visit https://www.wildlandfirersg.org/ for information on packing and preparing for evacuations.  Kelly’s Whitewater Park is open to evacuees.

 Closure Information:  For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Payette and Boise National Forests enacted an area closure order.  The complete closure order – including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed and an accompanying map – is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8331/.

Yesterday afternoon, low relative humidity, high temperatures, and winds caused an increase in fire activity on the Four Corners Fire.  The fire crossed the 435 Road and prompted evacuations by Valley County Sheriff's Office of residents in God’s Acres and French Creek.  Residents in the Campbell Creek area are under pre-evacuation alert (Set) and should be ready to evacuate as quickly as possible should the fire continue to grow and necessitate additional evacuations.