Green Ridge surpasses 40,000 acres

UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST—The Green Ridge Fire, burning in the Umatilla National Forest thirty miles east of Walla Walla, had consumed more than 40,000 acres as of Tuesday, August 31, and was 39% contained.

Gusty winds on Monday challenged the strength of containment lines, however, the lines held throughout the day. Fire officials said that the winds aided fire crews by directing the fire to burn pockets of fuel within the containment area.

Crews continue to make progress on direct containment efforts in the southeast corner of the fire area, near Diamond Creek Road below Mount Misery, with plans to establish containment lines going south, then west, before tying into the Diamond Peak trailhead. Equipment that is no longer needed is returning to the fire camp to re-supply other firefighting operations. Resource advisors are onsite to provide knowledge of cultural and natural resource areas that need to be protected.

The Lick Creek Fire remains at 80,421 acres and is now 100% contained. 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 lines as they can safely.

The Umatilla National Forest (UNF) announced reduced area closures on August 13, granting public access on most UNF lands in Oregon. Lands in close proximity to active fires, including the Lick Creek, Green Ridge, and Elbow Creek fires, remain closed to the public.

Fire danger on the Umatilla National Forest is still EXTREME. For areas that will re-open to the public, Phase C Public Use Restrictions will be in effect. Under these restrictions:

Campfires are prohibited in the Forest. Use liquid and bottle (propane) gas stoves only.

No internal combustion engine operation (including chainsaws), except for motorized vehicles.

Electrical generators operated under the following conditions are allowed:

in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material, or;

when fully contained within a pickup truck bed that is empty of all flammable material, or;

when factory installed in a recreational vehicle and the generator exhaust discharge is located in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

No off-road/off-trail vehicle travel or travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material. Vehicle travel is never permitted on currently closed forest service roads where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berms, logs, boulders, barriers, barricades or gates, or as otherwise identified in a closure order.

Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles and buildings, developed recreation sites, or in cleared areas.

Violating closures and fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

Green Ridge Fire officials would like to remind drivers to stay clear of firefighting operations and drive safely. The public should watch out for fire crews and equipment while traveling on forest roads. Barriers are in place in some areas of the forest, and are there to protect firefighters and the public.

Both Garfield and Columbia County evacuations have been reduced from Level 2 to Level 1. Visit https://go.usa.gov/xFQJ2 for further information regarding evacuations.

Green Ridge Fire Information:

Information Office: (509) 542-7964

Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenridgefire2021

Lick Creek Fire Information:

Information Office: (509) 780-6238

Email: 2021.LickCreek@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LickCreekFire