Incident Publication

California Interagency Incident Management Team 12 along with other local officials will be hosting a Community Meeting tomorrow July 28, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at the Dayton Fairgrounds.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 12 along with other local officials will be hosting a community meeting tonight July 29, 2021, 7:00 p.m. at the Pomeroy High School, 1090 Pataha St., Pomeroy, CA.

Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Updates – July 29, 2021 – 8:00 a.m.

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. there is a community meeting at the Pomeroy High School, 1090 Pataha St., Pomeroy, WA. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on the Green Ridge Fire Facebook page. (site listed below) There was a community meeting last night in Dayton that was recorded and posted to the fire’s Facebook page.

Lick Creek Fire: A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team began working on the Lick Creek Fire. While many wildfires cause little damage, some fires create situations that require special efforts to prevent further problems after the fire. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; runoff may increase and cause flooding, sediments may move downstream and damage houses or fill reservoirs and put endangered species and community water supplies at risk. This fire remains at 90% contained. Continued smoke will be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire area are consumed. Crews will continue to mop up pockets of heat interior and patrol the perimeter until full containment is achieved.

Green Ridge Fire Current Situation: The spot fire that has been burning north of the main fire in the Tucannon drainage increased in activity late yesterday. It burned into the main fire and produced a column of smoke that could be seen from a distance. The primary focus is to continue work on direct containment lines along the fire perimeter where trails and roads already exist. At the same time, engines and crews are working on creating contingency containment lines in case the fire escapes beyond the existing direct lines. There is a plan in place to create a third layer of defense with outlying containment points. No effort has been spared to protect the many values at risk in and around the fire area.

The fire team has ordered Interagency Hotshot Crews to work the south and east portions of the fire to keep fire from further spread into the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Due to the many active wildfires burning in the western US, there are limited resources available to bolster the efforts on this incident and fulfil the plan to achieve full containment and control.

Weather and Smoke Information: A warming trend continues through Friday, and it will be considerably warmer today with lower humidity and increased instability. Smoke Information is available on the Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Evacuations: The remaining Level 1 evacuation remains in place for Garfield County. If you have any questions, please contact the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer at (509)843-3494.

Closures: All Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within the Umatilla National Forest are closed. For more information visit the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd931174.pdf.

ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:

Lick Creek Fire Information: 509-780-6238

Lick Creek Fire InciWeb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/

Lick Creek Facebook: Lick Creek Fire

Green Ridge Fire Information: 509-542-7964

Green Ridge Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/

Green Ridge Facebook: Green Ridge Fire

Lick Creek Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources:

Cause: Lightning                                2 Crews

Containment: 90%                            9 Engines

Approx. Size: 80,392 acres              5 Water Tender

Total Personnel: 70                          1 Masticators

Location: Approximately 20 miles SW of Asotin, WA

On July 29, 2021, at 8:30 p.m. the Columbia County Sheriff's Department has extended the Level I evacuation notice and issued a Level II evacuation notice.
A Level II evacuation notice for the following areas:

• South of the previous Level I evacuation notice within Columbia County. This Level II evacuation notice extends east to the Forest Boundary including Bald Butte Mountain and south down to the Columbia County/Wallowa County state border. It extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain, it will extend to Middle Point Trail Head through to Midway Campground.

LEVEL II – Yellow, SET
You should be alert and ready to leave this area at any time. If you are concerned about your safety or believe you are in danger, do not wait for an official evacuation order – leave immediately.

To prepare for evacuation, you should arrange for transportation or other mobility assistance, relocate livestock or large animals out of the area, and pack essential personal belongings, medications, special dietary items, and infant-care items.

A Level I evacuation notice has also been issued for the following areas:

• Everything north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway camp within Forest Boundary.

Level I – Green, READY
Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property, and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system. You will be kept advised as conditions change. Area radio and television stations have been asked to broadcast periodic updates.
If conditions worsen, we will make every attempt to notify you. If you are absent from your home for more than a short period of time, please leave a note with your contact information in a visible location as an attempt will be made to contact you by phone.

These evacuation levels will remain in place until rescinded by the Columbia County Sheriff.

Sheriff Joe Helm
Columbia County, WA

There was a community meeting last night in Pomeroy that was recorded and posted to the Green Ridge Fire Facebook page.

Lick Creek Fire: A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will continue working on the Lick Creek Fire. This assessment will be used for long range forecasting and preparation of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. This fire remains at 90% contained. Continued smoke will be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire area are consumed. Crews will continue to mop up pockets of heat interior and patrol the perimeter until full containment is achieved.

Green Ridge Fire Current Situation: Hot, dry, unstable weather conditions yesterday caused increased fire activity. Heavy fuels and fire alignment with steep slopes allowed for fire spread in west, south and east portions of the fire. With yesterday’s fire growth, forecasted weather and fire behavior today, the fire team and county emergency managers made the decision to issue additional evacuation notices. Firefighters will be focusing on using air and ground resources to minimize potential for additional fire spread in the areas that active fire occurred. Every effort is being made to protect the many values at risk in and around the fire area.

Additional resources are on order, however due to several active wildfires burning in the western US, they are limited and expected to arrive as they become available. We continue to request the resources needed to fulfil the plan to achieve full containment and control.

Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Updates – July 31, 2021 – 8:00 a.m.

There is a Red Flag Weather Warning in effect this afternoon and evening for thunderstorms. Heavy rain and gusty/erratic winds possible with thunderstorms.

Lick Creek Fire: A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will continue working on the Lick Creek Fire. This assessment will be used for long-range forecasting and preparation of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. This fire remains at 90% contained. Continued smoke will be visible as unburned    pockets of vegetation inside the fire area are consumed. Crews will continue to mop up pockets of heat interior and patrol the perimeter until full containment is achieved.

Green Ridge Fire Current Situation: The local region experienced unstable weather conditions yesterday, but only isolated areas of fire experienced growth. Portions of the fire where most of the activity occurred are northeast of the Meadow Creek Trailhead and north of West Butte and Oregon Butte. Air and ground resources are being used to minimize potential for additional fire spread, constructing direct containment lines where safe to do so. Every effort is being made to protect the many values at risk in and around the fire area, and secondary control lines are also being established by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.

Additional resources are on order, however due to several active wildfires burning in the western US, they are limited and expected to arrive as they become available. We continue to request the resources needed to fulfil the plan to achieve full containment and control.

Weather and Smoke Information: A change in the weather pattern has begun due to a Pacific low-pressure system moving closer towards the coast. Unstable weather conditions will persist, bringing thunderstorms that may produce strong outflow winds and heavy downpours. Smokey conditions will continue throughout most of the region. Information is available on the Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Evacuations: On July 29th, a Level II evacuation notice was issued in Columbia County for the following areas: South of the previous Level I evacuation within Columbia County. This notice extends east to the forest boundary including Bald Butte Mountain and south down to the Columbia County/Wallowa County state border. It extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain it will extend to Middle Point Trail Head through to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: Everything north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp within the forest boundary. If you have any questions, please contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.  The Level 1 evacuation remains in place for Garfield County. If you have any questions, please contact the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer at (509)843-3494.

Closures: All Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within the Umatilla National Forest are closed. For more information visit the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd931174.pdf.
 

ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:

Lick Creek Fire Information: 509-780-6238

Lick Creek Fire InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/

Lick Creek Facebook: Lick Creek Fire

Green Ridge Fire Information: 509-542-7964

Green Ridge Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/

Green Ridge Facebook: Green Ridge Fire

UPDATE: Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Update – August 1, 2021@ 10:00 a.m.

Lick Creek Fire: The fire area received 0.12" of rainfall yesterday aiding in firefighting efforts. A small, 6-acre, spot fire was fought aggressively and quickly contained. Crews will continue to mop up pockets of heat interior and patrol the perimeter until full containment is achieved. A Burned Area Emergency Response team continues its efforts for the fire. The team’s work will allow for long-range forecasting and preparation of mitigation measures in areas where the risk of runoff and flooding can take place.

Green Ridge Fire: Firefighters contained a twenty-two-acre spot fire on the west side of the 46 Road about two miles north of Godman Trailhead. Every effort is being made to protect the numerous values at risk to include Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, plantation reforestation sites, sensitive plants, recreation areas, fisheries, numerous cultural, archaeological, and historic sites, farming, high value agricultural lands, a RAWS site, and a repeater site are also threatened. Secondary control lines are also being established by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features. Structure defense activities, including the use of protective fire wrap on the Historic Godman Guard Station and Fire Lookout were accomplished yesterday.

Firefighters continue working the strategy of the 'anchor and flanking', using the northwest portion of the fire as the anchor and constructing containment lines from that area along the north and west perimeter of the fire. Less active areas along the perimeter allow for placement of containment lines immediately adjacent to the fire perimeter. Areas unsafe for personnel to access or lack of personnel require burning out fuel between the main fire and containment lines.
Cloud cover and rainfall (measured at 0.05 by portable weather station) helped moderate fire activity yesterday. Air and ground resources are being used to minimize potential for additional fire spread, constructing direct containment lines where safe to do so. Contingency planning and implementation are ongoing with support from Regional Fire Managers. Over the last two days, additional resources arrived to provide enough personnel to staff a night shift. More fire crews and engines are still on order but due to several active wildfires in the west their availability is limited.

Weather and Smoke Information: This morning’s cloud cover will lift leading to increasing instability as the day progresses. The instability could bring thunderstorms that produce light and variable winds (5-10 MPH with a shift from the northwest in the afternoon) and scattered showers. The region can expect smoky conditions and elevated humidity levels. Information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Evacuations: Level II Evacuation Notice issued on July 29th, by Columbia County’s sheriff’s office remains in effect for the area: south of the previous Level I evacuation in Columbia County. The Level II evacuation notice extends east to the forest boundary, including Bald Butte Mountain and south to the Columbia County-Wallowa County state border. The evacuation notice also extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain, it extends to Middle Point Trailhead to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: everywhere north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp in the forest boundary. If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (509-382-1100; or 509-382-2518). The Level 1 evacuation remains in place in Garfield County. If you have questions, please call the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer (509-843-3494).

Closures: All Forest Service lands, roads, and trails in the Umatilla National Forest are closed. For more information, visit the Umatilla National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd931174.pdf.

ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:

Lick Creek Fire Information: 509-780-6238
Lick Creek Fire InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/

Green Ridge Fire InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/
Green Ridge Fire Information: 509-542-7964

There will be community meeting this Wednesday night at the Dayton Best Western Conf. Room @ 7:30 p.m.
 Lick Creek Fire: The Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has wrapped up their work on the Lick Creek Fire. Their assessment will be used for forecasting the preparation needs of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. This fire remains at 90% contained. Continued smoke will be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire perimeter are consumed. Crews will continue to mop up pockets of heat interior and patrol until full containment is achieved.
 Green Ridge Fire: The fire continued backing slowly toward the Ladybug Campground holding within primary containment lines. The night shift focused on patrol and monitoring of the fire edge taking action where needed to accomplish containment. Today’s operations may include firing along the 46 Road that will connect the Edmiston Springs and Spangler Creek sections. Aircraft will be assisting ground resources with retardant and water dropping runs to help minimize potential for additional fire spread, working the strategy of the 'anchor and flanking. Saturday’s cooler temperatures and rainfall (amounts from trace to 0.05 inches) helped to decrease fire activity in some areas of the fire. Every effort is being made to protect the numerous values at risk to include Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, plantation reforestation sites, sensitive plants, recreation areas, fisheries, numerous cultural, archaeological, and historic sites, farming, high value agricultural lands, a RAWS site, and a repeater site are also threatened. Secondary control lines are also being established by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.
 Weather and Smoke Information: This morning’s cloud cover will decrease on Monday. It will be warmer with lower humidity. Afternoon temperatures will reach the mid 70’s over the higher ridges and in the mid 80’s in the valley bottoms. The humidity’s will generally range from 50 to 55 percent along the ridges and 30 to 35 percent in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light and variable. The region can expect smoky conditions and elevated humidity levels. Information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.
Evacuations: Level II Evacuation Notice issued on July 29th, by Columbia County’s sheriff’s office remains in effect for the area: south of the previous Level I evacuation in Columbia County. The Level II evacuation notice extends east to the forest boundary, including Bald Butte Mountain and south to the Columbia County-Wallowa County state border. The evacuation notice also extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain, it extends to Middle Point Trailhead to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: everywhere north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp in the forest boundary. If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (509-382-1100; or 509-382-2518). The Level 1 evacuation remains in place in Garfield County. If you have questions, please call the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer (509-843-3494).
 Closures: All Forest Service lands, roads, and trails in the Umatilla National Forest are closed. For more information, visit the Umatilla National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd931174.pdf.

PENDLETON, Ore. (August 2, 2021) — With recent precipitation and reduced initial attack on new fires across the Forest, Umatilla National Forest officials will reopen much of the Forest on Wednesday, Aug. 4, including all Heppner and North Fork John Day Ranger District lands and part of the Walla Walla Ranger District. The Pomeroy Ranger District and northern portions of the Walla Walla Ranger District will remain closed. 

 There will be community meeting this Wednesday night at the Dayton Best Western Conf. Room @ 7:30 p.m.
 Lick Creek Fire: The Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team assessment will be utilized for forecasting the preparation needs of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. Continued smoke will 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 until full containment is achieved. This fire remains at 90% contained.
 Green Ridge Fire: The fire continued backing slowly toward the Tucannon River in the Ladybug Campground area holding within primary containment lines. The night shift focused on patrol and monitoring of the fire edge taking action where needed to accomplish containment. Today’s operations may include firing along the 46 Road that will connect the Edmiston Springs and Spangler Creek sections. Aircraft will be assisting ground resources with retardant and water dropping runs to help minimize potential for additional fire spread, working the strategy of anchor and flanking. It will be warmer today with temperatures in the 70’s along the ridges and 90’s in the valley bottoms. Every effort is being made to protect the numerous values at risk to include Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, plantation reforestation sites, sensitive plants, recreation areas, fisheries, numerous cultural, archaeological, and historic sites, farming, high value agricultural lands, a RAWS site, and a repeater site are also threatened. Secondary control lines continue to be worked by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.