Area and road closure implemented on Green Ridge and Turkey Tail Fires

 

Type 3 Interagency Management Team takes command of both fires

 

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 9, 2021 – 11 a.m.) — Firefighters continue battling two fires burning in the Green Ridge area on the Pomeroy Ranger District, approximately 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington. Forest officials have implemented an area and road closure surrounding the two fires for public and firefighter safety.

The closure is effective immediately and includes all or portions of Forest Service Roads 46, 4608, 4713, 4610, the Tepee trail, the Meadow Creek trail and Panjab trail. Additionally, Midway and Panjab campgrounds are closed. Access to the Turkey Tail Recreation Residences is also closed. A detailed map and description of the closure area is available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure barriers and signs will be posted on the ground.

The Green Ridge Fire, which is now estimated at 50 acres, was reported on July 7 and is burning in steep terrain, primarily consisting of grass and shrubs. Values at risk include structures in the area. Yesterday’s fire behavior consisted of active upslope runs, spotting and torching. Steep ground with rolling rocks and burning material is adding to fire growth and containment difficulties.  Firefighters, aided by aerial resources, focused suppression efforts on protecting the values at risk and establishing containment lines to slow the spread of the fire.

Firefighters are also actively suppressing the Turkey Tail Fire, which was reported on July 7 at 7:48 p.m. near the Big Turkey Tail area in steep and rugged terrain. Hot and dry conditions contributed to active fire behavior yesterday, causing the fire to grow to 60 acres. Steep ground with rolling rocks and burning material is also contributing to fire growth and containment difficulties. Firefighters, aided by aerial resources, focused suppression efforts on establishing containment lines to slow the spread of the fire.

The Northeast Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Adam Wing, took command of the Green Ridge and Turkey Tail Fires today at 6 a.m to be collectively managed as the Green Ridge Fire. Personnel are assessing options today to contain the fires in the Meadow Creek drainage and firefighters are working to build line construction, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely engage, while utilizing aircraft to slow fire spread and cool hotspots within the fire perimeter.  Current resources on scene include one interagency hotshot crew, three 20-person crews and three engines. Additional resources are on order. 

The Northwest Team 7 Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) took command of the Dry Gulch and Lick Creek Fires (now called Dry Gulch) at 6 a.m. today. Future information regarding all fires within that incident will be distributed through the IMT and posted on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/7615/.

Additional smoke reports may be detected throughout the next few days as weather conditions continue to stay hot and dry throughout the week.

Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating is EXTREME and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:

Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF  

Twitter: @UmatillaNF

The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.  

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

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