Green Ridge Fire Update - July 15, 2021

 Dayton, WA.—The Green Ridge Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain on the Pomeroy Ranger District, approximately 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington. Values at risk include structures, the Mill Creek Watershed, wilderness, and recreation areas in the vicinity.

The fire grew 75 acres yesterday, primarily to the north. Firefighters scouted locations for indirect fire line to the east and cleared fuels along Kendall Skyline Road to the east and the 4608 Road to the south.

Facing extreme fire weather and very difficult and dangerous fire line construction, firefighters have modified their tactics while still implementing the strategy to minimize the size and duration, while prioritizing firefighter and public safety. Today, firefighters will work to improve indirect fire lines on roads to the east and south of the fire where terrain, fuels and weather have made direct fire line construction difficult. Scouting and line location continues to the east. Crews will continue improving structure protection around Godman Guard Station and the Little Turkey Tail Recreation Residents tract. Where terrain and fuels allow crews to safely engage, firefighters will directly limit the fire spread using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The Umatilla National Forest implemented an area and road closure across the entire Pomeroy Ranger District. Additional information about this closure is available on the Forest website.

Fire officials 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.

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.

Fire managers will provide an overview of current operations and local officials will provide updates this evening (July 15) at 7:00 p.m. at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion on 5 North Pine Street, Dayton, WA. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Columbia County Fire District #3 Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Columbia- County-Fire-District-3-1976942145917582.

Prevention Message: The nation has moved to the highest level of fire preparedness, meaning many firefighting resources are becoming scarce. Hot, dry, windy weather in the days ahead will require increased public vigilance to prevent any new ignitions. Firefighters need your help getting us all through this marathon fire season safely.

Quick Facts Incident Summary
Approximate Size:	467 acres
Fire Containment:	10%
Incident Commander:	Jason Loomis
Resources on the fires:	Crews: 7 Helicopters: 2 Engines: 6 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 3
Total Personnel:	256
Jurisdiction:	Umatilla National Forest
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/G reen-Ridge-Fire-105190851844816   www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF
Washington Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/