Saturday, August 21, 2021

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update - Aug. 21, 2021, 10 a.m.

 Green Ridge Fire Containment Increases to 35% 

Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: On Friday, the fire saw wetting rain and containment increased to 35%. An infrared flight was not available last night, so there is no change in acreage today; the fire remains 39,235 acres. The additional containment was added in Division M along the 22 (4022) Road on the northern fire perimeter. Fire activity was minimal in divisions M and K on the north and west sides of the fire yesterday. Crews completed the shaded fuel break that will be used as a contingency line on the southeast side of the fire in Branch II. Fire behavior decreased yesterday with the high relative humidity and wetting rain over much of the fire area last night. 

With continued cooler temperatures and a 50% chance of continued precipitation on the fire, minimal fire behavior is expected again today. Crews will be taking advantage of the cooler wetter weather to continue mopping up the uncontained edges of the fire in divisions M and K to further increase containment on the uncontained portions of fire line. In these areas, firefighters will be mopping up the fire perimeter of the fire looking for pockets of heat and engaging where it is safe to do so to increase certainty that the fire will not move from its current footprint in those areas. In Branch II, crews will continue work in the area of the shaded fuel break chipping limbs and branches to clean up work that was completed yesterday on the south side of the fire in Division P north of the Grouse Flat area. 

Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: There are no new changes to report on Lick Creek and no future changes in the fire’s perimeter are expected. The Lick Creek fire remains 80,421 acres and 97% contained. The remaining 3% of containment on the Lick Creek Fire will come as Green Ridge Fire burns around the currently uncontained areas. Yesterday’s wetting rain over the fire helped moderate fire behavior, but the fire will continue to smolder well into the interior of the fire today and in the coming days. Firefighters assigned to the Lick Creek Fire will provide support to the Green Ridge fire when needed and continue patrolling and improving containment lines along the fire’s perimeter. 

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy, with cooler temperatures and lower relative humidity than yesterday. There is a 50% chance of rain today with chances of showers and thunderstorms. Northwest winds are expected to decrease slightly to 3-6 mph, with gusts to 12 mph. Temperatures will be 55-60 degrees along the ridges and 60-65 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:  35% 
Total Personnel: 474
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: 13
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning  



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