Incident Publication

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update
Monday, August 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m. 
 
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black
 Troy Hagan, Incident Commander 
 
Green Ridge Fire Statistics:
Size:  23,126 acres
Containment:  15%
Total Personnel: 363
Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla
Reported: July 7, 2021Cause: Lightning
 
Lick Creek Fire Statistics:
Size:  80,421 acres
Containment:  90%
Total Personnel: 82
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA
Reported: July 7, 2021
Cause: Lightning 

Yesterday’s Weather Moderates Fire Behavior on Green Ridge Fire
 
Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire grew to 23,126 acres and remains 15% contained. Lighter winds yesterday allowed firefighters to focus efforts on the northeast side of the fire and the spot fires north of the 22 Road, successfully limiting the fire’s spread in that area. Where the Green Ridge Fire burned into the Lick Creek Fire perimeter, fire activity slowed significantly due to a lack of available fuels.
 
Today, crews will take advantage of the cooler weather and continue to strengthen the firelines north of the 22 Road exploring all possible containment options as well as additional contingency lines. Firefighters are considering firing operations to remove unburned pockets of fuel on the northeast side of the fire to the south of 22 Road. This operation is planned to occur over several days and is contingent on weather and fuel conditions. The operation will occur only if conditions are favorable. Crews will continue to strengthen the containment lines southwest of the Panjab campground and patrol firelines on the southwest portion of the fire.
 
Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek Fire remains 80,421 acres and 90% 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 do so. 
 
Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather is expected to be more favorable with low winds, seasonal temperatures, and lower humidity. Today will begin a warming trend that will continue through the week. Temperatures will be near seasonal with highs between 65 and 70 degrees along the ridges and near 80 degrees in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light, coming from the northwest at 4-8 mph. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 
 
Forest Closures: The Umatilla National Forest reopened many lands for public entry. Portions of the Pomeroy Ranger District and the Walla Walla Ranger District near the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires remain closed. The full closure order and map is available on InciWeb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP 
 
Evacuations: Garfield County has current Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations in place. Columbia County has current Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. For more information on evacuations, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xFQJ2 for full information.   

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Green Ridge Fire and Lick Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Green Ridge Fire Information:
Information Office: (509) 542-7964
Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.gov 
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/ 
Facebook: 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: www.facebook.com/LickCreekFire 

 Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update 
Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 9:00 a.m.  

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black 
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander  

Green Ridge Fire Statistics: 
Size:  24,091 acres 
Containment:  15% 
Total Personnel: 418
Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla 
Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning

Lick Creek Fire Statistics:
Size:  80,421 acres 
Containment:  90% 
Total Personnel: 82 
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning  

Fire crews prepare lines ahead of warmer, drier weather

Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire grew to 24,091 acres and remains 15% contained. Yesterday’s lighter winds and moderate temperatures provided an opportunity for firefighters to continue their efforts on the northeast side of the fire. The fire saw minimal growth. The lack of wind and an inversion layer caused the smoke to settle in the valley and it is expected to remain through Wednesday. 
Today, crews will continue to strengthen the fire lines north of the 22 (4022) Road exploring all possible containment options as well as additional contingency lines. If weather conditions allow, firefighters will proceed with firing operations today to remove unburned pockets of fuel on the northeast side of the fire south of 22 (4022) Road. If favorable weather, firefighters will use hand and aerial ignitions to slowly and strategically utilize fire to remove unburned fuels between the fire’s edge and the existing fire line. Crews will continue to strengthen the containment lines on the southwest portion of the fire and scout for possible contingency line locations south of the fire’s southern perimeter. 

Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek Fire remains 80,421 acres and 90% 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 do so. 
Rocky Mountain Team Black will be holding community meetings this week, one tonight in Pomeroy at the High School and one tomorrow night in Dayton at the Fairgrounds. If bandwidth allows, both meetings will be livestreamed on the Green Ridge Fire Facebook page. More information on these community meetings can be found on the Green Ridge Facebook page. 

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather is expected to warm considerably and will continue warming throughout the week. Temperatures will have highs between 70 and 75 degrees along the ridges and mid-80s in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light from the southwest at 5-10 mph. Humidity will be lower today, dropping to 30%. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 

Forest Closures: Closures are in place on the Umatilla National Forest. All of the Pomeroy Ranger District and portions of the Walla Walla Ranger District near the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires are closed. The full closure order and map is available on InciWeb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP  

Evacuations: Garfield County currently has Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations in place. Columbia County currently has Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. For more information on evacuations, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xFQJ2 for full information.   

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Green Ridge Fire and Lick Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Green Ridge Fire Information:
Information Office: (509) 542-7964 
Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.gov  
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/  
Facebook: 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: www.facebook.com/LickCreekFire  

Rocky Mountain Team Black will be hosting two community meetings this week to update the community on the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires. 
 
The first will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10 in Pomeroy at the Pomeroy Junior-Senior High School, 1090 Pataha Street, Pomeroy, WA. 

The second meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11 in Dayton at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 5 North Pine St, Dayton, WA. 

If bandwidth allows, both meetings will also be livestreamed on the Green Ridge Fire Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GreenRidgeFire2021. 

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update
Wednesday, August 11, 2021, 9:00 a.m. 
 
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black 
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander 
 
Green Ridge Fire Statistics:
Size:  25,250 acres 
Containment:  15% 
Total Personnel: 462
Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning

Lick Creek Fire Statistics: 
Size:  80,421 acres 
Containment:  90% 
Total Personnel: 61
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning  

Firefighters continue strengthening fire lines ahead of weather change 

Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire grew to 25,250 acres on Tuesday and remains 15% contained. Yesterday’s weather provided an opportunity for firefighters to proceed with firing operations on the northeast side of the fire south of the 22 (4022) Road. Tuesday’s firing operations were successful in removing unburned pockets of fuel between established fire lines and the fire’s perimeter. If weather conditions allow, firefighters will continue these firing operations today. 

Crews will continue strengthening fire lines and building secondary control lines, or contingency lines, by improving existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features north of the 22 (4022) Road. Other crews will continue mopping up and patrolling containment lines on the west and southwest sides of the fire. Firefighters will be scouting for possible contingency line locations south of the fire’s southern perimeter.  Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek Fire remains 80,421 acres and 90% 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 do so. 

Rocky Mountain Team Black will be hosting a community meeting tonight in the pavilion at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Dayton. If bandwidth allows, the meeting will be livestreamed on the Green Ridge Fire Facebook page. More information on tonight’s community meeting and a recording of yesterday’s meeting in Pomeroy can be found on the Green Ridge Facebook page. 

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather is expected to continue warming. Temperatures will have highs between 80-85 degrees along the ridges and 90-95 in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light from the northwest at 5-10 mph. Humidity will drop today, ranging from 15-20%. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/  

Forest Closures: Closures are in place on the Umatilla National Forest. All of the Pomeroy Ranger District and portions of the Walla Walla Ranger District near the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires are closed. The full closure order and map is available on InciWeb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP  

Evacuations: Garfield County currently has Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations in place. Columbia County currently has Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. For more information on evacuations, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xFQJ2 for full information.    

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Green Ridge Fire and Lick Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Green Ridge Fire Information: 
Information Office: (509) 542-7964 
Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.gov  
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/  
Facebook: 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: www.facebook.com/LickCreekFire  

As Tina Meier, Garfield County Emergency Management Director, mentioned at last night's community meeting, residents should take the time to sign up for their county's emergency alert service. These services provide notifications from local emergency management agencies to you by phone (including land lines), text message, or email in the event of emergency situations.

Garfield County residents are encouraged to sign up with AlertSense at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/

Columbia County residents are encouraged to sign up for their community alerts through CodeRED at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFDC685043F6

DREW W. HYER
GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF 
P.O. BOX 338
POMEROY, WA 99347-0338
(509) 843-3494 * FAX (509) 843-1347

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

POMEROY, Washington – August 11, 2021

GREEN RIDGE FIRE – EVACUATION LEVELS CHANGE FOR GARFIELD COUNTY

Effective August 11, 2021, The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has elevated the previous Level 1 evacuation area for Garfield County to a Level 2 and Level 3. 

A Level 3 evacuation notice for the follow areas:

• Northwest corner of the Columbia and Garfield County boarder south to the Tucannon River Trail. Diagonally to the southeast along the Tucannon River Trail and north along the bear creek trail to the intersection of the 40 road. This will continue north on the westside of the 42 road to Pataha Spur Rd in the area of Iron Springs. Around the 040 road to the 4016 road, following the 4016 road to the 40 road and north to the forest boundary. 
• To include the Rose Springs, Stentz Springs and Clear Water communities. 

A Level 2 evacuation notice for the follow areas:

• Starting from the northwest area of the Columbia County line on the Blind Grade Road extending south to Umatilla National Forest boundary east to the Baker Pond Campground. South on the 40 road to the 4016 road, 4016 road around to 040 Road to 42 Road. Continues south on the eastside of the 42 Road to Lickford Road (41 Road) and northeast to Asotin County line. North on the county line to Knotgrass Ridge Road west to include Kimble Road area. Kimble Road west to the Highway 128 going northeast to Bosley Grade Road. Bosley Grade Road to Mountain Road continuing to the intersection of Lineville Ridge Road to the Columbia County line.  
• This includes the Baker Pond communities

Evacuation Levels are evaluated daily based on current and forecasted fire activity.  Again, the change in current evacuation levels is precautionary. 

LEVEL 2— Be SET to evacuate at a moment notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.  
LEVEL 3— GO! means leave immediately. Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately.   

Evacuation Levels are evaluated daily based on current and forecasted fire activity.  Again, the change in current evacuation levels is precautionary. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer at (509) 843-3494.

Pacific Northwest Region  
Umatilla National Forest 
72510 Coyote Road Pendleton, OR 97801 
www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla 
 
Contact:  Darcy Weseman (541) 278-3722

August 12, 2021
 
Umatilla National Forest to further reduce area closure 
 
PENDLETON, Ore. (August 12, 2021) –  With continued reduced initial attack on new fires across the Forest, Umatilla National Forest officials will further reduce the area closure on Friday, Aug. 13, reopening access to most of the Umatilla National Forest lands in Oregon. National Forest lands within proximity to active large wildfires (the Lick Creek, Green Ridge and Elbow Creek fires) will remain closed to public entry.
 
The modified closure prohibits access to all Umatilla National Forest lands in Washington state (on both the Pomeroy and Walla Walla Ranger Districts) and closes lands surrounding the Elbow Creek Fire on the Walla Walla Ranger District in Oregon, which encompasses lands south and east of where Alder Creek intersects with Forest Service Road 62 to the Forest boundary, as displayed on the enclosed map. Public entry is prohibited in the areas identified in the closure, which includes lands, roads, trails and recreational facilities.
 
Visitors planning a trip to areas within the closure should cancel any plans for the next several weeks. These areas remain closed to protect public and firefighter safety as the Forest continues to actively suppress wildfires, while also responding to new smoke reports.
 
A detailed map describing the updated closure area is available at the end of this news release, on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure barriers and signs will be posted on the ground. 
 
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 on 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.

Additional information on the Lick Creek, Green Ridge, and Elbow Creek Fires is available at:

• Lick Creek Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/ 
• Green Ridge Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/ 
• Elbow Creek Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7672/ 

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact the Information Hotline at (877) 958-9663.

The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.   

More information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla. 

###

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update 
Thursday, August 12, 2021, 10:00 a.m. 

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black 
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander 

Green Ridge Fire Statistics:  
Size:  26,648 acres 
Containment:  15% 
Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning

Lick Creek Fire Statistics:
Size:  80,421 acres 
Containment:  96% 
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning  

Containment on the Lick Creek Fire Increases to 96% 

Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire grew to 26,648 acres on Wednesday and remains 15% contained. Wednesday was the second successful day of firing operations in Division M on the northern edge of the fire. The firing operations are removing unburned pockets of fuel between established fire lines and the fire’s perimeter south of the 22 (4022) Road. If weather conditions allow, firefighters will continue with firing operations again today. Crews continue patrolling and mopping up fire lines on the fire’s southwest edge.

With resources scarce locally, regionally, and nationally, fire managers have strategically allocated our resources across the fire. The northern perimeter remains the priority for resource allocation in an effort to secure the northern fire perimeter. Resources on the south side of the fire continue to scout locations for fire lines and contingency lines south and east of the fire.   Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek Fire remains 80,421 acres and containment increased to 96% on Wednesday. Smoke will continue to be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire perimeter are consumed. Crews will continue to patrol lines and mop up any interior pockets of heat as they can safely do so. 

Rocky Mountain Team Black hosted a community meeting in Pomeroy on Tuesday night and Wednesday night in Dayton. Recordings of these community meetings are located on the Green Ridge Facebook page. 

Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather is expected to continue with a warming and drying trend. The weather pattern is expected to remain hot and dry though Saturday. Temperatures will have highs between 80-85 degrees along the ridges and 90-95 in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light from the northwest at 5-10 mph. Humidity will drop today, ranging from 15-20%. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 

Forest Closures: Closures are in place on the Umatilla National Forest. Currently, all of the Pomeroy Ranger District and portions of the Walla Walla Ranger District near the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires are closed to entry. The full closure order and map is available on InciWeb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP. 

The forest closure for some areas on the Umatilla NF will be amended on Friday, August 13. The amended order reopens most Umatilla NF lands in Oregon. The order also closes all lands on the Walla Walla Ranger District in Washington; forest lands in the Pomeroy Ranger District will remain closed to entry. The amended order that goes into effect on August 13 is available at https://go.usa.gov/xFyhn.

Evacuations: Garfield County elevated evacuation orders for some areas near the Green Ridge and Lick Creek fires on Wednesday August 11. There are currently Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations in place in Garfield County. For more information on evacuations in Garfield County, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xFyM4 for full information.  Columbia County currently has Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. A map showing all evacuations in place is available at https://go.usa.gov/xFyME. An interactive map that shows evacuations and other important information is also available at https://tinyurl.com/yv2sypd4.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Green Ridge Fire and Lick Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Green Ridge Fire Information:
Information Office: (509) 542-7964 
Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.gov  
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/  
Facebook: 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: www.facebook.com/LickCreekFire  

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update  
Friday, August 13, 2021, 10:00 a.m.  
 
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black 
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander  
 
Green Ridge Fire Statistics: 
Size:  29,759 acres  
Containment:  15% 
Total Personnel: 482 
Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning 
 
Lick Creek Fire Statistics: 
Size:  80,421 acres 
Containment:  96% 
Total Personnel: 21 
Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA 
Reported: July 7, 2021 
Cause: Lightning  
 
Crews complete firing operation on Thursday, scouting continues to the south 
 
Current Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire grew to 29,759 acres on Thursday and remains 15% contained. The southern edge of the fire was active near Oregon Butte in Division A and accounts for much of today’s increase in acreage. Crews successfully completed the firing operations on Thursday in Division M on the northern edge of the fire. The firing operations removed available fuel between established fire lines and the fire’s perimeter south of the 22 (4022) in an effort to create a more secure fire line along the northern edge of the fire. Crews and bulldozers worked to create contingency lines along roads and ridges north of the 22 (4022) Road yesterday. Fire activity was minimal on the northwest and west sides of the fire on Thursday. Personnel assigned to those areas continued patrolling lines and mopping up where it was safe to do so. 
 
Today, crews will be patrolling lines in Division M where firing operations took place, strengthening fire lines and securing any spot fires that are discovered north of established containment lines. Hand crews and heavy equipment will continue to be used to secure northern contingency lines above the 22 Road (4022) in Division H. Resources on the south side of the fire continue scouting locations for fire lines and contingency lines south and east of the fire in Branch II. Firefighters are looking for roads, ridges, or other natural features that can be improved to create fire lines in the coming days. 

Current Situation: Lick Creek Fire: The Lick Creek Fire remains 80,421 acres and 96% contained. Crews will continue to patrol lines and mop up any interior pockets of heat as they can safely do so.
 
Weather & Smoke Information: Today’s weather is expected to remain hot and dry, with this weather pattern continuing through Saturday. Temperatures will be the 90s along the ridges and upwards of 100 degrees in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light from the northwest at 5-10 mph. Humidity will be in the teens today. Smoky conditions are likely to persist for a few days until increased winds beginning Saturday. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 
 
Forest Closures: Closures are in place on the Umatilla National Forest. The forest closure for some areas on the Umatilla NF have been amended. The amended order reopens most Umatilla NF lands in Oregon. The order also closes all lands on the Walla Walla Ranger District in Washington; forest lands in the Pomeroy Ranger District will remain closed to entry. The amended order that goes into effect today, August 13th, and is available at https://go.usa.gov/xFyhn.
 
Evacuations: Garfield County currently has Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations in place. Level 1 evacuations were added on Thursday for Grouse Flats in southern Garfield County. For more information on evacuations in Garfield County, please visit https://go.usa.gov/xFyM4 for full information. Columbia County currently has Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuations in place. Wallowa County, Oregon currently has Level 1 evacuations in place for Grouse Flats. An interactive fire map that shows evacuations and other important information is available at https://tinyurl.com/yv2sypd4. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Green Ridge Fire and Lick Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Green Ridge Fire Information:
Information Office: (509) 542-7964
Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.gov 
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/ 
Facebook: 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: www.facebook.com/LickCreekFire 

DREW W. HYER 
GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF 
P.O. BOX 338 
POMEROY, WA 99347-0338 
 
(509) 843-3494 * FAX (509) 843-1347 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
POMEROY, Washington – August 12, 2021
 
GREEN RIDGE FIRE – EVACUATION LEVELS CHANGE FOR GARFIELD COUNTY

Effective August 12, 2021, The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has placed the Grouse Flats area for Garfield County to a Level 1.

Evacuation Levels are evaluated daily based on current and forecasted fire activity.  Again, the change in current evacuation levels is precautionary. 

Level 1: READY - Level 1 evacuations are an Alert. Residents should be aware of a danger that exists. Now is the time to “Get Ready”. Residents with special needs, or those with pets or livestock, should take note and prepare for relocating family members, pets and livestock. Refine your evacuation plans and gather the things you will need if you must evacuate. 

LEVEL 2— Be SET to evacuate at a moment notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.  

LEVEL 3— GO! means leave immediately. Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately.   

Evacuation Levels are evaluated daily based on current and forecasted fire activity.  Again, the change in current evacuation levels is precautionary. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer at (509) 843-3494.