Big Lake Youth Camp near Sisters, Oregon was advised by Willamette National Forest Fire Dispatch on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2021, to begin evacuating campers as a precautionary measure due to a nearby wildfire.
Lightning strikes on Aug. 2 ignited the fire on the west flank of Mount Washington, approximately three miles south of BLYC. Fire personnel and aircraft mounted a rapid response to try and contain the blaze but shifting winds and worsening visibility hampered efforts on Aug. 3.