SNF fire report - 8-31-13

The waterways, portages, and campsites of the South Arm of Knife Lake are now open to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) paddlers.

There are no campfire restrictions other than the usual ones: small fires only within FS grates and never left unattended.

This will be the last update until the Knife Lake Fire is declared out or another significant event occurs.

Current Fire Activity:
Knife Lake Fire: 188 acres. Fire is north of the South Arm of Knife and south of Amoeber Lake: Township 65, Range 6 West, Section 18. Fire managers have successfully suppressed a fire that was in an unsafe and inaccessible location by bringing it out to natural barriers. Containment is at 100%.

The Knife Lake Fire will be declared controlled when a band of ground 150 feet wide from the control line is mopped up.

To clarify yesterday’s update: the ten Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa fire fighters left the fire yesterday after providing three days of good hard work on the fire line. Other fire fighters were de-moped from the fire today.

Two fire fighters remain to continue mop-up and patrol of the line.

Fires now out:
• Disappointment Lake Fire: quarter acre, discovered Saturday evening, August 24, 2013. Declared out on 8/27/13.
• Sedative Lake Fire, north of Ima: Township 64, Range 7 West, Section 17. Reported at three tenths of an acre in size. Called out this morning

Fire ban restriction lifted - 8/30/13

The USFS just released this information:

The fire restriction order for the east side of the BWCA has been lifted.

The closure order for South Arm will be lifted at 7:00 p.m. August 30, 2013.  All campsites, portages, and waterways on the South Arm will be open at this time.

The area received about 2 inches of rain yesterday.

Superior National Forest Fire Update 8/29/13

Campfire restrictions for the Gunflint and portions of the Tofte Districts will go into effect after midnight tonight.

Fires will be allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight in the restricted area.

The restrictions apply only to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and only to the eastern portions listed in the forest order.


Current Fire Activity:
Knife Lake Fire: 188 acres. Fire is north of the South Arm of Knife and south of Amoeber Lake: Township 65, Range 6 West, Section 18.

Fire managers have successfully suppressed a fire that was in an unsafe and inaccessible location by bringing it out to natural barriers. Suppression was implemented in an efficient and effective manner using limited aerial and hand ignition along with other holding resources on the ground. A weather front passed through last night but did not produce any rain. Gusty winds tested control lines and they held well. At 1:00 p.m. today rain was beginning to fall on the fire.

Containment is at 60% and rising steadily. The South Arm of Knife closures of campsites, waterways, and portages are still in place.

Fires now out:
• Disappointment Lake Fire: quarter acre, discovered Saturday evening, August 24, 2013. Declared out on 8/27/13.

•  Sedative Lake Fire, north of Ima: Township 64, Range 7 West, Section 17. Reported at three tenths of an acre in size. Called out this morning.

Resources: Sixteen fire fighters and four public safety staff on the Knife Lake Fire; two deHavilland Beaver floatplanes at the Ely Seaplane Base;

For a location map of the three fires, the South Arm of Knife Lake closure order, a closure map, fire restrictions order and map, and daily fire updates please see our website: www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

Superior National Forest Fire Update - 8/28/13

Ely, MN

Update August 28, 2013

CONTACT: Becca Manlove, Information Officer, West Zone, Superior National Forest, 218-365-2093; 218-343-3026.

A closure was put in place for the South Arm of Knife Lake yesterday which includes the waterway of the South Arm, twenty four campsites, and nine portages. All entry points into the BWCAW remain open.

The fire danger remains high. BWCAW visitors are asked to use extreme caution with campfires. Campfires are safest in the evening after 7:00 p.m. when temperatures cool, winds are usually lighter, and relative humidity increases. Drown fires and embers completely.

Current Fire Activity:

• Knife Lake Fire: now at approximately 100 acres, fire is north of the South Arm of Knife and south of Amoeber Lake: Township 65, Range 6 West, Section 18. Fire fighters are taking full suppression actions and are pleased with the progress. Control lines are being created and are holding well. The smoke column may increase today due to the ignition of unburned fuel between the fire and the control lines. Containment is estimated at 40%.

• Sedative Lake Fire, north of Ima: Township 64, Range 7 West, Section 17. Reported at three tenths of an acre in size and 60 % contained yesterday afternoon. A two person crew camped nearby and will be working it again today.

• Contained and Controlled Fires: Disappointment Lake Fire: quarter acre, discovered Saturday evening, August 24, 2013. Declared out on 8/27/13.

Resources: Sixteen fire fighters and four public safety staff on the Knife Lake Fire; two staff on Sedative Fire; CL215 air tanker, small helicopter, and an air attack fixed wing stationed at Ely Tanker Base; two deHavilland Beaver float planes at the Ely Seaplane Base.

For a location map of the three fires, the South Arm of Knife Lake closure order, a closure map, and updates please see our website: www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

West Zone Fire Update

                                                                                   Ely, MN

                                                                        Update August 27, 2013

                                                              

CONTACT:  Becca Manlove, Information Officer, West Zone, Superior National Forest, 218-365-2093; 218-343-3026.

The fires listed below are both within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) but they are affecting a very small portion of the BWCAW. All entry points remain open.  Closures of campsites or portages will be listed as needed. Nearby visitors will see and hear increased arial and crew traffic.

Both BWCAW fires are under full suppression. Visitors are asked to give aircraft landing on lakes a wide berth for their own safety and the safety of fire fighters. Closures posted on campsites and portages are for the safety of both public and fire fighters.

Current Fire Activity:

·   Knife Lake Fire: fifteen to twenty acres burning north of the South Arm of Knife and south of  Amoeber Lake: Township 65, Range 6 West, Section 18. Three foot flame lengths, creeping, occasional torching, light west winds. Fuel type is mix of balsam, Jackpine, and blowdown. The fire area received no appreciable rainfall last night. Sixteen fire fighters will be in place today. Campsites and portages on the South Arm of Knife Lake will be closed.  A closure order and map will be provided soon. Forest Service Beaver floatplanes will be shuttling crews and assisting with suppression. More aircraft resources may be used. A public safety crew will use a square stern with motor on the South Arm of Knife Lake. All BWCAW entry points remain open.

·   Un-named fire near Sedative Lake, north of Ima: Township 64, Range 7 West, Section 17. A single tree was burning when discovered. Staff will be on site today. More resources may be ordered.

Contained and Controlled Fires:

·   Disappointment Lake Fire: quarter acre, discovered Saturday evening, August 24, 2013. Controlled as of 8/26/13.

Canada:

·   Two smokes were discovered in Canada yesterday afternoon—one near Crane Lake and another one north of Knife Lake well into Canada.

Highhway 61 detour begins August 26, 2013

Highway 61 detour begins Aug. 26 near Little Marais, Illigen City in Lake County

DULUTH, Minn. – Motorists traveling on Hwy 61 near Little Marais and Illigen City will encounter a detour from Monday, August 26 through Friday, August 30. The detour is thirteen-miles-long, on good-quality paved roads and adds approximately ten-minutes to normal travel-time. The detour is necessary as crews install culverts and construct a retaining wall.

·         Motorists traveling south on Highway 61 near Little Marais will be detoured on County Road 6 to Highway 1 and back to Highway 61.

·         Motorists traveling north on Highway 61 near Illigen City will be detoured on Highway 1 to County Road 6 and back to Highway 61.

All businesses will remain accessible. Signs will be posted to direct motorists these businesses. Through-traffic is prohibited.

This project will extend the pavement life of Hwy 61 and improve safety and accessibility.

For more information, visit the project’s website at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/Hwy61littlemarais/index.html

For updated travel information on all Minnesota roads, call 511 or click on www.511mn.org.

Used Kevlar Canoe Sale; August - September, 2013

We are selling a number of our kevlar canoes used 1-4 seasons. These include Wenonah and Bell brands.

Wenonah

• Spirit II
• Minnesota II
• Champlain
• Boundary Waters
• Seneca (3 person)

Bell Works

• Northwind 
• Seliga 

Canoes are priced according to the amount of use and condition. Prices range from $1500-$1800.


Call Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters today at 800-950-2709 or email us at info@elycanoetrips.com for availability.

Bear Visit, August 2013

One of our guests Donn R. provided this YouTube video of a black bear encounter on Lincoln Island, on Basswood Lake in the BWCA. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-7DyPxydX0

Thanks Donn, we will be sending you a Spirit of the Wilderness t-shirt for your contribution.

Get a t-shirt
Email Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters your photos/video and BWCA story to info@elycanoetrips.com. If we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness t-shirt as a thank you.  Be sure to include your mailing address and shirt size.

Check out this video

 A. Martin from the Chicago area shared this video of his recent solo trip entering at Fall Lake and traveling up through Newton into Pipestone. A solo trip is an unique adventure. Looks like this was a trip that made lifetime memories.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0fbo5g6452wux7/Voice-Over%20Test%20%20-%20Mobile.m4v

Share your story
do you have a Boundary Waters adventure you want to share? Email it along with any photos or video to Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters, Ely, MN at: info@elycanoetrips.com . If we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness  t-shirt as a thank you for your contribution. We will be sending A. Martin a t-shirt this week.

BWCA Bear report - Basswood lake area

Are you traveling the Basswood lake area soon? We received a bear encounter report from a guest staying on Lincoln Island. The bear came into their campsite but was scared away...nothing taken. This might be the same bear that has recently been visiting Washington Island. Take precautions when visiting this area.

Bear awareness 

• Keep a clean campsite. Never eat or store food in your tent
• Take precautions to discourage bears from visiting your site, including hanging your food pack or using a bear-resistant container, as well as garbage and anything that has a strong or sweet odor (soap, toothpaste etc.)
• Some bears overcome their fear of humans and approach campsites looking for food. This includes island sites since bears are good swimmers.
• If you do encounter a bear, most will be scared off if you make noice (shout, bang pots, or throw fist-sized rocks at the bear, etc).
• A very persistant bear may be discouraged by spraying pepper into its eyes
• If you visit a campsite with bear skat...do not camp there. Find another site
• If you can't tell the difference between bear skat and other feces, assume it is bear skat and move to another campsite.

Taken from USFS Boundary Waters Canoe Area Trip Planning Guide

Have you ever heard of this?

Two people catching the same fish on two different lures at the same time? Brad H from Wisconsin came into our shop to tell us about his 3 year old daughter fishing with her pink rod, pink reel that lights up when spun and a pink jig while his wife fished using a tiger-colored jig on the opposite side of their boat on Fall lake.

His daughter started reeling in her line because she caught a fish. Brad's wife started reeling in her line because of a fish. They both tugged on their line and see sawed back and forth pulling the fish from one side of the boat to the other.  Brad realized they were playing the same fish. Once brought up on one side of the boat, the small northern pike had two jigs in its mouth...a pink jig on one side of its mouth and a tiger-colored jig on the other side of its mouth.  Now that is one hungry pike. It is back in the water ready to be caught again.

Share your adventure
Do you have a fish story to share? Email your story with a photo if available to Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and Bait Store, Ely MN. Email address: info@elycanoetrips.com

If we publish your story on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness T-shirt as a complimentary thank you. Be sure to include your mailing address, phone number and shirt size. All stories and photos submitted become property of Spirit of the Wilderness and can be used to promote fishing and traveling the BWCA.

Catch a Rainbow in the BWCA

 Karen L. and Marty W. were traveling the Stuart River to Nina Moose/Portage River North route and caught a rainbow. I'm sure the pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow was their week+ travels with so many fine memories from catching fish, almost losing their canoe blowing away in the night (luckily a group of scouts came to their rescue) and more.  Thanks Karen and Marty for sharing your photos.

Bass are hitting

 Toss your top water lure into the weed beds and watch the lake explode! We have been receiving reports from numerous fisherman that working the top water in the weed beds is producing tail dancing bass. What a thrill. Lures that are hot right now include Hula Poppers, Jitterbugs, Pop-R, Skitter pops, Rebel Crawfish, Torpedos and more. Evening hours seem to be ideal.

Register your BWCA/Ely area fish, whether you kept or released it, at Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and Outdoor Store and we will enter you in the Ely Angler fishing contest. Furnish your name, address, fish photo and fish details (length, lake caught on, lure/bait used) and you might win a guided fishing trip for two. Send to: info@elycanoetrips.com

Ely flowers are blooming

Our Ely store garden is looking a lot better this year thanks to Zone 3 Gardens, a local gardening and landscape group. They came and planted in the spring, added wood chips along the curb and have revisited a number of times removing weeds and adding more plants. Right now we have many blooming plants and the bees are visiting and doing their job.

Fish Dance Pictographs - July 2013

Todd F. a long term customer sent us these images of Fishdance Lake pictographs from a recent trip he guided for his BSA troop from Wisconsin.  Thanks Todd for your contribution.  We will be sending you a Spirit of the Wilderness T-shirt as a token of our appreciation.

Join in the fun
Email us your photos and BWCA/Quetico story and if we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness t-shirt as a thank you. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, phone number and shirt size.

Traveling to Fishdance takes 1-2 days. Enter at Lake One, entry point 30F, travel through Lake Two, Three, Four, Hudson, Insula (a great walleye lake), across Alice then a southerly turn to Fishdance. Be sure to spend a night or two on the southern campsites of Fishdance. You will feel it it one of the most remote areas you will visit in the BWCA.

Fishdance Pictographs

A close examination...but don't touch

Who you looking at?

When you travel the Boundary Waters you get the opportunity to experience so many wonderful adventures. You may see mergansers, white tail deer, otter, moose, loons, chickadees, ravens, bald eagles, turtles, bass, northern pike, walleyes, and more.  But have you considered you too are being watched?

Patricia Perone shared these photos of being watched by a loon. Wonderful close up. Patricia has a great eye for catching wildlife.

Send us your story
Email us your Boundary Waters wildlife encounter or canoeing story and photos to Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters at info@elycanoetrips.com. If we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness T-shirt as a complimentary thank you.  Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and shirt size.

Relay for Life in Ely - August 9

Friday evening until Saturday morning Relay for Life organized a walk-a-thon in Whiteside Park in Ely. Many groups and families sponsored teams to walk through the night. We donated our time, screen tent, Coleman lanterns and more to the Ely JCs team. Luminaries with personal messages guided participants as they walked the 1/2 mile course. Songs were sung, neighbors met neighbors, new acquaintances were met.  What a great way to raise funds to support cancer research and see so many people turn out.

Ely luminaries - Relay for Life

Kathy noting each lap we walked

In memory of Kathy's mom, Siiri Bay

In memory of Kathy's dad - Wally Bay

RUMC Womens Canoe Trip, July 2013

Before leaving Spirit of the Wilderness

The Rosemount United Methodist Church, Rosemount MN women had a fabulous canoe trip this July. They entered at lake One and traveled out to Lake Three for a 4 day, 3 night adventure. For some it was their first BWCA trip. We are waiting for more photos to post documenting their high adventure.

Preparing for the sun

Do we have everything?

Getting a canoe ready

Moose Sighting in the BWCA

It is such a thrill to see a moose these days especially since the numbers are declining so quickly in Minnesota. Patricia Perone, a customer of Spirit of the Wilderness, stopped in and she told about a moose encounter near Island River entry point (#34) near Isabella Lake, as she and her partner were kayaking. They heard a large crash and stopped paddling to hear and see what was coming through the woods at them. A moose came rushing through the woods headed for the water...nothing was going to stop her! The flies were covering her back and biting her. She was determined to make it into the water for relief.

As this all unfolded, Patricia was quick enough to snap some action shots. Thank you Patricia for sharing your adventure. Great shots.

Send us your story
Email us your Boundary Waters wildlife encounter or canoeing story and photos to Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters at info@elycanoetrips.com. If we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness T-shirt as a complimentary thank you.  Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, and shirt size.