Green Ridge Fire Update - Sept. 9, 2021

 Green Ridge Fire:

Size: 42,216 acres, Containment: 40%, Total Personnel: 192, 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 skunked around as pockets along southern edge filled in and growth occurred southward. No runs or erratic behavior observed, however 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: Today: 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:

Widespread haze. Areas of smoke between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5-8 mph becoming calm. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Forest Closures:

A reduced Fire Emergency Closure is in place on the Umatilla National Forest and was updated on September 2, 2021. The closure order map 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