Green Ridge Fire Update - October 4, 2021

This will be the final update unless conditions change

Green Ridge Fire Statistics: Size: 43,694 acres, Containment: 61%, Total Personnel: 22, Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Reported: July 7, 2021, Cause: Lightning.

Current Situation:  Fire behavior continues to be minimal, particularly with recent cooler temperatures and some light precipitation over the fire. Interior smokes remain visible as unburned fuels are consumed, primarily on the southwest corner of the fire near Godman Guard Station and to the south and southeast within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up all containment lines on the west, north and eastern edges of the fire. Where containment lines are secured, firefighters are also completing suppression repair in the Clearwater Look Out area based on identified rehabilitation needs (such as constructing water bars to help reduce erosion potential and mastication to improve roadways used for containment lines). Crews also continue backhauling (returning) equipment that is no longer needed for suppression operations.

The southern edge of the fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with difficult access within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Most of the southern fire edge is inaccessible and therefore does not have direct containment lines. Fire behavior and spread has been minimal over the past several weeks. Firefighters are patrolling and monitoring fire activity within the Wilderness to engage if the fire moves into an area where access is feasible and values at risk are threatened. Pockets of unburned fuel within the fire’s interior may periodically produce smoke as the fire continues to smolder in heavy fuels.

Weather & Smoke Information: Temperatures will be in the low 70's to start the week, cooling down to the low 60's into the weekend. Skies will be mostly sunny with occasional clouds. Winds will be primarily light and out of the south, with some potential for wind with gusts up to 22 mph on Wednesday. Smoke information is available on the Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/  

Forest Closures: Umatilla National Forest officials will reopen National Forest lands on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. The modified closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768   

Evacuations: All evacuation levels have been lifted.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been lifted.