Strong winds expected in fire area today

Strong winds are expected to test containment lines on the Green Ridge Fire today as dry cold front will cross over the fire area. A Red Flag Warning indicates elevated winds and low humidity across an already dried-out landscape.

Fire managers are, however, confident in the work put in by crews to date.

The Green Ridge Fire stands at 4,338 acres burned and has not moved out of that footprint in five days. Current containment is 40 percent.

Mop-up operations will continue over the next few days with the objective of cooling hot spots up to 75 feet into the interior of the fire. The deeper crews move in from the perimeter, the less likely embers will be carried over established containment lines. Crews assigned to the Green Ridge Fire are also available to provide initial attack support to the local district and forest on new fire starts within the immediate area.

Fire danger remains extreme across central Oregon. The firefighting community is asking all residents and forest visitors to exercise caution with all outdoor activities. All open fires, including campfires, wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires are prohibited on the Deschutes National Forest except in designated campgrounds. Open fires are also not allowed on private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

he Deschutes National Forest Area Closure remains in place while FS Road 14 and associated campgrounds remain open. Visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7012/ for additional fire and Forest Area Closures information.

Visit https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx for more information and additional public use restrictions.