Fireline on the Northern Perimeter Holds Against Gusty Winds
Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire is currently 37,599 acres and is 19% contained. The last 48 hours have tested fire lines in Division M, on the 22 (4022) Road, with gusty southwest winds. Those lines held and Division M remains in the same footprint as before the increased winds over the last few days, demonstrating the effectiveness of the firing operation and fire line in place on the 22 (4022) Road. Yesterday, the north side of the fire saw minimal activity in Divisions K and M, spanning from the Kendall Skyline Road to the existing containment line on the north end of the Lick Creek Fire scar. The Green Ridge Fire continued to move slightly to the south in Division W, extending just south of Oregon Butte. The majority of the fire’s growth yesterday was on the southern perimeter where unburned pockets of fuel burned between previously burned areas in Division S.
The fire is expected to continue burning southward today consuming unburned pockets of fuel along the fire’s southern perimeter in divisions W and P. With the fire line successfully holding in divisions M and K through the wind event over the last 48 hours, a number of firefighting resources will be strategically transitioned to the southern perimeter of the fire. There will still be firefighters in place in divisions K and M on the northern and western fire lines in to patrol and engage any existing pockets of heat. Indirect line construction will begin in Division P today to the south of the Lick Creek Fire scar. Heavy equipment is expected on the roads today with the transition of firefighting resources from Branch I to Branch II.
Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek fire remains 80,421 acres and 97% contained. The uncontained 3% of fire line is east of Misery Springs campground on West Mountain Road. Torching and smoldering within the interior of the fire perimeter is expected to continue as the fire continues to burn unburned pockets of fuel from within the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters will continue to mop up along the fire’s perimeter and monitor containment lines.
Weather & Smoke Information: The cooling trend is expected to continue today, which will be accompanied by moderate northwest winds. These gusty winds are expected to help with smoke dispersion across the area. West-southwest winds are expected to be 7-14 mph, with gusts to 20 mph. Temperatures will be 60-65 degrees along the ridges and 68-73 degrees in the valley bottoms. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Forest Closures: Closures are in place on the Umatilla National Forest. The forest closure for some areas on the Umatilla NF have been amended. The amended order reopened most Umatilla NF lands in Oregon. The order also closed all lands on the Walla Walla Ranger District in Washington; forest lands in the Pomeroy Ranger District remain closed to entry. the closure order is available at https://go.usa.gov/xFyhn.
Evacuations: Garfield County currently has Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations in place. Columbia County currently has Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. The Grouse Flats area is currently under a Level 1 evacuation in Garfield County, Asotin County, and Wallowa County, Oregon. An interactive fire map that shows evacuations and other important information is available at https://tinyurl.com/yv2sypd4.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Green Ridge Fire and Lick Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
Green Ridge Fire Statistics:
Size: 37,599 acres
Containment: 19%
Total Personnel: 520
Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla
Reported: July 7, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Lick Creek Fire Statistics:
Size: 80,421 acres
Containment: 97%
Total Personnel: 27
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA
Reported: July 7, 2021
Cause: Lightning
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