Green Ridge Fire burns more than 37,000 acres

UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST—Southwest wind gusts are expected to continue driving the Green Ridge Fire, feeding the flames with unburned pockets of fuel. As of Tuesday, August 17, the fire has burned 37,599 acres and is less than 20% contained.

In the 48 hours leading up to Tuesday’s update, the wind tested fire lines created in Division M. However, the fire lines and previous firing operations have proven effective. The fire has been kept within the division’s footprint and the lines created along “the 22” (Road 4022). The fire continues to burn towards Oregon Butte, in Division W.

On Monday, the Green Ridge Fire saw minimal activity in Divisions K and M on the northern side, spanning from Kendall Skyline Road to existing containment lines along the north end of the Lick Creek Fire scar.

In a release sent out on Tuesday, officials stated that they expect the fire will continue burning towards the south. Firefighting resources will be strategically transitioned to the southern perimeter of the fire. Firefighters will still be present in divisions K and M, on the northern and western fire lines, to patrol and engage any existing heat pockets. Line construction will begin along Division P. Increased heavy equipment traffic is expected as firefighting resources transition from Branch I to Branch II.

The Lick Creek Fire has burned 80,421 acres and is 97% contained. The uncontained 3% of the fire is east of Misery Springs campground on West Mountain Road. Officials expect the fire to continue smoldering and torching unburned pockets of fuel within the perimeter as firefighters continue to mop up (cooling down the fire line enough to ensure that it cannot re-ignite).

Cooling weather trends, accompanied by moderate northwest winds, were expected to continue throughout Tuesday, which helped clear up smoke in surrounding areas. On Tuesday, Waitsburg’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 29, while Dayton’s was 25- both in the healthy ‘green’ range.

Closures remain on the Umatilla National Forest (UNF), including the Walla Walla Ranger District and the Pomeroy Ranger District. Most UNF lands in Oregon have been reopened to the public. 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 has Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. The Grouse Flats area is now 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 are available at https://tinyurl.com/yv2sypd4.

Temporary flight restrictions are in place over the Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire areas. Wildfires are a No-Drone Zone: All air operations are suspended if a drone is spotted near the fire. If you fly, firefighters can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.