Containment Continues to Increase on the Green Ridge Fire
Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: On Wednesday, containment on the Green Ridge Fire increased to 29%. The fire is currently 38,787 acres. The additional containment line was added in Division M on Skyline Dr continuing up to the Panjab Campground, where it ties into previously contained line. The increased acreage was gained on the uncontained fire line on the southern perimeter the fire in Branch II. Fire activity was minimal yesterday, with no new growth in divisions K or M. Precipitation fell on the east side of the fire on Wednesday afternoon, helping minimize the fire’s growth.
With lower relative humidity and higher temperatures than yesterday, a slight uptick in fire behavior is expected today. The fire is expected to slowly continue creeping and smoldering upslope in divisions W, S, and P, pushed by the upslope winds from the northwest. With severe fires burning across the west, firefighting resources are scarce. With the limited number of resources on the Green Ridge Fire, firefighters are focusing efforts on the area of highest priority and where there is a high probability of containment actions being successful. Currently, the highest priority area is the uncontained southeast perimeter of the fire. Crews will be in place in Branch II, improving the Hansen Ridge Road on Forest Service, state, and county lands to create a shaded fuel break as a contingency line. Crews will continue to hold and improve on the fire line in Branch I along the 22 (4022) Road, strengthening the fire line along the remaining uncontained perimeter and patrolling the contained fire line.
Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek fire remains 80,421 acres and 97% contained. Today’s northwest winds are expected to push the heat and smoke towards the interior of the fire. Interior fuels are expected to continue to smolder and burn minimally 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.
Rocky Mountain Team Black will be hosting a community informational update on the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires today at 7:00 p.m. at the Anatone Community Hall in Anatone, WA. Operations staff will give the community a brief update on the fire followed by an opportunity for the community to meet with incident managers and agency officials as well as ask questions about the fires. This event will not be livestreamed due to the informality of the event.
Weather & Smoke Information: Weather is expected to be mostly sunny today, warming slightly from yesterday. Northwest winds are expected to be 4-8 mph, with gusts to 17 mph. Temperatures will be 64-70 degrees along the ridges and 77-83 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.
Green Ridge Fire Statistics:
Size: 38,787 acres
Containment: 29%
Total Personnel: 504
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: 22
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA
Reported: July 7, 2021
Cause: Lightning
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