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.
