Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Update – August 7, 2021 8:30 a.m.

 California Team 12 will transition with Rocky Mountain Team Black tomorrow 8/8/21 at 6:00a.m.

Lick Creek Fire: A plan is being put together for the needs of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding as proposed in the BAER Team assessment. Smoke will continue to be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire perimeter are consumed. Crews will continue to mop-up any interior pockets of heat and patrol until full containment is achieved. This fire remains at 90% contained.

Green Ridge Fire: The crews and fire experienced gusty winds overnight causing a spot fire in the northeast corner of Tucannon River near Cold Creek. The wind helped the spot fire grow to approximately 1,000 acres. The intense energy seen in the northeast corner of the Green Ridge Fire moderated around 2:00am. As winds calmed the fire switched from a predominantly wind driven fire to more terrain driven. Winds continuing out of the west will continue to push the fire to the north and east as it follows the terrain. The continued winds seen throughout the day will assist the fire spread three-quarters to one acre per hour. Crews began line construction on these spots and will continue in the suppression effort today. Secondary control lines continue to be worked by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.

Weather and Smoke Information: Today we can expect the weather to be mostly cloudy, cooler, and windy. A dry cold front last night will cause southwest winds to increase today. The gusty southwest winds along the ridges will continue through Sunday. The strongest winds will occur along the exposed ridges. Drainages that run southwest-northwest in Lick Creek will also have winds align along the drainages and accelerate, with 10-15 mph gusts possible. It will be cooler with higher humidity (5-10 percent) for the next several days. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

 

Evacuations: Garfield County current evacuations:

A Level 3 evacuation notice for the following areas:

Northwest corner of the Columbia and Garfield County boarder south to the Tucannon River Trail. Diagonally to the southeast along the Tucannon River Trail and north along the bear creek trail to the intersection of the 40 road. This will continue north on the westside of the 42 road to Pataha Spur Rd in the area of Iron Springs. Around the 040 road to the 4016 road, following the 4016 road to the 40 road and north to the forest boundary.

To include the Stentz Spring and Clear Water communities.

A Level 2 evacuation notice for the following areas:

Starting from the northwest area of the Columbia County line on the Blind Grade Road extending south to Umatilla National Forest boundary east to the Baker Pond Campground. South on the 40 road to the 4016 road, 4016 road around to 040 Road to 42 Road. Continues south on the eastside of the 42 Road to Lickford Road (41 Road) and northeast to Aston County line. North on the county line to Knotgrass Ridge Road west to include Kimble Road area. Kimble Road west to the Highway 128 going northeast to Bosley Grade Road. Bosley Grade Road to Mountain Road continuing to the intersection of Lineville Ridge Road to the Columbia County line.

This includes the Rose Spring and Baker Pond communities

Columbia County current evacuations:

A Level III evacuation notice for the following areas:

Beginning at the north Umatilla National Forest boundary, from Tucker Road to the Garfield County line boundary. The westside continues to follow the west forest boundary south to where Walla Walla Rd and N Touche Road intersect, diagonal toMidwayCampgroundatSkylineDrive. ItwillcontinueeastthroughtheHorseRidgeTrailtothe GarfieldCountyline.

A Level II evacuation notice has also been issued for the following areas:

Everything northwest of Chase Mountain to where Walla Walla Rd and N Touche Road intersect within Umatilla NationalForestboundary.

A Level I evacuation notice for the follow areas:

North of the Umatilla National Forest boundary following the Maloney Mountain Road turning into Hartsock Grade Roadandfollowseastand southaround theGarfieldCountyLineback tothe forestboundary.

Closures: The Umatilla National Forest will reopen most lands for public entry. Portions of the Pomeroy Ranger District and the Walla Walla Ranger District remain closed. The full order will be posted to Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP