Green Ridge fire at 61% containment and winding down

DAYTON–As of Tuesday of this week, fire behavior has continued to be minimal, with a few interior smokes observed on the southwest corner of the fire near Godman Guard Station and to the south and southeast within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, reports the Pomeroy Ranger District.

The Northeast Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command of the Green Ridge Fire back to the Pomeroy Ranger District on Sunday, Sept. 26.

Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up all containment lines on the west, north and eastern edges of the fire, which is at 43,694 acres. Thirty-eight personnel are on the fire located 30 miles east of Walla Walla.

Where containment lines are secured, firefighters are also completing suppression repair (such as constructing water bars to help reduce erosion potential and mastication to improve roadways used for containment lines) based on identified rehabilitation needs. 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.

Cooler temperatures with a chance of showers are anticipated over the next few days. Increased temperatures are anticipated later in the week. Overall fuels conditions remain dry and susceptible to fire spread. Smoke information is available on the Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Umatilla National Forest officials reopened most National Forest lands within the Lick Creek Fire footprint on Sept. 9, 2021. Additionally, access was reopened into portions of the Tucannon River drainage. The modified closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alertsnotices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

Evacuation levels have been lifted in Asotin and Garfield counties. Level-1 evacuations (be ready) remain in place in Columbia County. An interactive fire map that shows evacuations and other important information is available at https://arcg.is/18OyuG.

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