Lick Creek Fire 90% contained

POMEROY––As of early this week, the Lick Creek Fire is around 80,392 acres in size and is 90% contained, according to the U.S.F.S.'s Incident Information System. The was fire started by a thunderstorm on July 7 as two separate fires southwest of Asotin and some 15 miles southeast of Pomeroy, Lick Creek and Dry Gulch, and burned together on July 8 so is now being fought as one fire, dubbed the Lick Creek Fire.

All evacuations in Asotin County have been lifted, an incident spokesperson announced Monday. The evacuation that was in place for Grouse Flats in Garfield County has also been lifted. The level 1 evacuations to the north of Green Ridge Fire in Columbia and Garfield Counties remain in place.

There were 203 personnel on the fire as of July 26. There are currently 18 wildfires burning in Washington state, 15 in Oregon, including the Bootleg Fire, the largest in the United States at almost 409,700 acres. It is 53% contained.

The fire is in conifer timber with understory which is difficult to walk through and burns readily with abundant torching and spotting when dry. Not much wind is needed to spread the fire, especially on north aspects, the USFS indicates. The fire has moderated, characterized by creeping, isolated torching and smoldering.

Fire crews, under a Type 1 Incident Management Team (Pacific Northwest Team 3), were patrolling, mopping up and securing fire line in divisions T, W, D and H. The IMT, led by Randy Johnson, transferred command to CA Team 12 on Monday, July 26.

A high-pressure weather mass over the Pacific Northwest continues to dominate the area, resulting in warm and dry conditions in the fire's location.

Fire commanders anticipate full containment by September 6. The fire totaled 68,153 acres on July 16.

The other fire close to Pomeroy is the Green Ridge Fire, which totals 6,799 acres and is 15% contained as of Monday evening. It was also ignited by the July 7 lightning storm that passed through the area.

It is located some 23 miles south of Pomeroy and 17 miles southeast of Dayton in steep, remote and rugged terrain. Values at risk include the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, residences and recreation facilities, including Camp Wooten, which is a few miles from the north boundary of the fire.

The area is under a Level 1 evacuation order. There are 333 personnel assigned to the fire.

The fire bosses plan to continue to utilize air resources when available to check fire edge and hold fire in strategic locations in order to implement primary and alternative control lines. Hand crews and heavy equipment are continuing prep work on prep FS road 46 and FS 4608 on the south and west side of the incident (DIV A, G, K and M). Coordinating with firing group to evaluate opportunities to compartmentalize established fire on the west side of the 4713 (Meadow Creek). Setting up hose lays in Div K and M (north end). Scout line opportunities along trails, ridge tops in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. *Long term planning and significant resource shortages will extend time frame of resource demobilization.

Incident managers are anticipating that the fire's primary spread direction is northwest in Meadow Creek drainage and some flanking/backing north and south. Terrain and fuel is biggest contributor to spread. Surface fire comprised of backing, flanking, creeping, smoldering. After inversion lifts or smoke clears, increased activity is anticipated with single and group torching, short crown runs possible with spotting up to 0.1 mile.

Moderate spread to the east and north in the burned portions left from Columbia Complex slowing at the top of the ridge (Mt Misery trail and Rattlesnake Trail). Surface fire is comprised of backing, flanking, creeping, smoldering through dead/down from previous fire.

The CA Team 12 also assumed command of this fire at 6 p.m. on Monday.