Friday, August 20, 2021

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update 8-20-2021 10 a.m.

 Green Ridge Fire Containment Increases on Thursday

Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: On Wednesday, containment on the Green Ridge Fire increased to 31%. The additional containment line was added on the 22 (4022) Road continuing from the previously contained line to the east of Camp Wooten in Division M. The fire is currently 39,235 acres. There was no change to the existing fire footprint in divisions K and M on the west and north sides of the fire. The fire’s minimal growth was from the uncontained fire line on the southern perimeter the fire in Branch II. Crews neared completion of the road preparation and shaded fuel breaks along the Hansen Ridge Road in Division P.

Today, firefighters will finalize a strategic plan for the areas to the south and east of the fire that identifies contingency lines with the highest probability of success given the limited probability of being impacted in the next ten days. With cooler temperatures and possible precipitation on the fire, a slight reduction in fire behavior is expected today. The fire will continue creeping and smoldering upslope through the day on the south side of the fire in divisions W, S, and P. Today, crews will continue looking for hot spots near the fire line along the remaining uncontained perimeter and patrolling the contained fire line in Branch I along the 22 (4022) Road. Crews will continue working on the south side of the fire in Branch II, improving the road preparation and shaded fuel breaks in Division P along Forest Service, state, and county lands in the Grouse Flat area.

Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek fire remains 80,421 acres and 97% contained. There are no new changes to report on Lick Creek and no future changes in the fire’s perimeter are expected. The remaining 3% of containment on the Lick Creek Fire will come as Green Ridge Fire burns around the currently uncontained areas. Today’s continuing northwest winds are expected to push the heat and smoke towards the interior of the fire. Interior fuels are expected to continue to smolder throughout the day. Firefighters assigned to Lick Creek fire will provide support to the Green Ridge fire when needed and continue to monitor and improve containment lines along the fire’s perimeter.

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather will be cooler than yesterday with higher relative humidity and a chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon. There is a 60% chance of rain today. Northwest winds are expected to decrease slightly to 4-8 mph, with gusts to 14 mph. Temperatures will be 60-65 degrees along the ridges and 67-72 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 Washington on 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://arcg.is/0mrCe1.

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: 39,235 acres

Containment:  31%

Total Personnel: 462

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: 18

Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA

Reported: July 7, 2021

Cause: Lightning  



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