Green Ridge Fire Update - Sept. 10, 2021

The Green Ridge Fire is being managed by the Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team with Mitch Ketron as the incident commander. The Gray Team took command of the Green Ridge Fire on September 4, 2021 at 0600. 

Green Ridge Fire: 

Size: 42,722 acres, Containment: 40%, Total Personnel: 170, Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Reported: July 7, 2021, Cause: Lightning.

Please, stay clear of firefighting operations and drive safely! The public should watch out for fire crews and equipment while traveling on forest roads. Some roads remain closed with barriers. Barriers are in place to protect firefighters and the public, so please respect the closed areas.

Stay clear of fire-blackened areas for the many unseen hazards that exist, including live green, fire-weakened, trees which may fall without warning, and scalding hot stump holes.  Please maintain situational awareness of your surroundings when traveling and hiking in fire-damaged forests.

Know before you go! Before going hunting, hiking or camping, be sure to check the forest, grassland or ranger district for fire restrictions or area closures. For a checklist of fire-safe actions when enjoying the outdoors, visit the USDA Forest Service at Know Before You Go. 

Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: 

Yesterday: Fire crept around as pockets along southern edge filled in and growth occurred southward. Short-range ground fire north of Hwy 85, which was caused by a single-tree torching, was quickly put in check by firefighters. Heat continued to pop up in the perimeter's corners. Firefighters continued to patrol the fire line, conduct mop-up activities, and search for hotspots throughout the fire perimeter. 

Today: A new fire start was reported at 5:30 AM, located west of Rose Campground. Fire fighters are supporting local resources in containing the 1-acre fire. The cause is currently undetermined. Additionally, firefighters will continue to focus on SW and SE areas of the fire. Firefighters continue assessments further out and monitor and observe remote areas of southern perimeter. Crews will also continue to hold and improve completed lines to the west and continue to hold and improve completed lines to the south. As appropriate, personnel will provide continued point protection of assets and resources.

Weather & Smoke Information: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5:00 PM. Widespread haze. Areas of smoke before 11:00 AM. High near 72. Breezy, with an east wind 5-10 mph becoming southwest 18-23 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 

Forest Closures: Umatilla National Forest officials reopened most National Forest lands within the Lick Creek Fire footprint September 9, 2021. Additionally, access will be reopened into portions of the Tucannon River drainage. The modified closure prohibits access on the Pomeroy Ranger District to some roads and trails within the Lick Creek Fire burned area, National Forest lands surrounding the Green Ridge Fire, and lands surrounding the Elbow Creek Fire on the Walla Walla Ranger District.  

Closure orders can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768 

Evacuations: Level-1 evacuations (be ready, stay aware) remain in place in Garfield, Columbia and Asotin counties. For more information on evacuations, please visit your local county government web pages for full information.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the Green Ridge Fire, a 10-nautical mile Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area through September 15, 2021. This TFR has a 10,000-foot ceiling. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone.” 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.