Echo Trail Detour Starting August 27, 2015

The latest information from St. Louis County on their project to replace the bridge over the Moose River on the Echo Trail is that the contractor will start work Thursday August 27^th and complete the project in late October or early November. 

They will be using FR 464 (Moose Loop) as a detour route which will add approximately 5 miles to a trip across on the Echo Trail.  Moose Loop is about 30 miles northwest from Ely with entry point # 8, Moose River South. Be sure to give yourself extra time when traveling to entry point #14, Little Indian Sioux North. The bridge reconstruction is just past  #16, Moose River/Portage Rive North (Nina Moose).

Prescribe burn update - October 7, 2014

Observers may see smoke and even flames on the interior of burn areas listed below as fire continues to smolder and consume more pockets of fuel, which is what fire managers want to have happen. Holding lines are secure. Smoldering may continue until significant snowfall.

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake.
•  Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake. This unit continues to put up a fair amount of smoke.
•   Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake. About half of this unit was ignited.

·         In addition, fire crews burned some brush piles along the Mushroom Island Road (Township 62 N, Range 12 W, Section 1) just to the west of the mid-section of White Iron Lake, east of Ely, MN yesterday.

Crews continue to monitor all of the areas listed above. They watch for both weather patterns and fire behavior.

Safety message: 

Please do not walk in “the black” as burned areas are called. Root systems of trees may have been burned so that a green tree might topple over without warning. Holes may be filled with smoldering material.

Fire crews may return to these sites to perform additional prescribed burns within the next several years to continue clean-up and encourage the comeback of desired species.  For more information, contact Becca Manlove, Information Officer, Kawishiwi Ranger District, 218-365-2093. 

Prescribe Burn Update - September 29, 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014

Coo Lake Understory Prescribe Burn 

Fire fighters made good use of the weather window over the past four days and managed good consumption of hazardous fuels on three prescribed burn units. These units will be monitored. As holding action, crews may ignite pockets of unburned fuels within the boundaries so people may continue to see and smell smoke near the burns. Fire managers will continue to watch for opportunities this fall. If warmer, drier weather returns these units may be revisited or other units may be addressed.

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake. This unit was ignited yesterday. There was good consumption of hazardous fuels. The result of this burn will be a mosaic of species and ages of vegetation with some openings allowing blueberries and pine seedlings to grow. A crew is already on scene today. Pockets of unburned fuel may be ignited over the next several days as holding actions and to complete fuel reduction.
• Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake. This unit was ignited on Friday. Pockets of fuel continued to ignite under stronger winds on Saturday. Firing tactics were designed to protect mature pines in the center and consume hazardous fuels. Some individual torching of pines occurred but pines remain to re-seed the island. Fuel reduction on this island will help to slow or even stop a wildfire from threatening nearby homes. 
• Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake. About half of this unit was ignited yesterday before rain swept in, but fire cleaned up some holding lines for future burns.
• Kangas Burn Unit, T61N, R12W, S14, 99 acres, is south of the Blueberry Lake Road (St. Louis County Road 120) off the Birch Lake Road, south of Little Lake. The purpose of this burn is to re-establish moose habitat. The short window of burning weather forced fire managers to set this unit aside for a future opportunity, perhaps even later this fall if the right weather develops.

 Any one of these sites may be re-visited with a prescribed burn within the next several years to continue clean-up and encourage the comeback of desired species.  For more information, contact Becca Manlove, Information Officer, Kawishiwi Ranger District, 218-365-2093.

Prescribe burn update - September 27, 2014

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Yesterday, fire fighters successfully ignited a prescribed burn of the Bear Island Island Unit. A holding crew is already on site this morning to monitor its progress. Gustier winds are anticipated for today helping to consume pockets of unburned hazards on the island.

A small burn on Coo Lake North was extinguished due to the winds expected today. The Pine Ridge and Kangas Units are also being prepared. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds are predicted for tomorrow. The likelihood of one quarter to one half an inch of rain falling in the afternoon is another factor being considered. To allow for the most accurate weather prediction, fire managers will determine which of the three remaining units to focus on on the day of ignition (possibly tomorrow).

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake.

·         Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake.

·         Kangas Burn Unit, T61N, R12W, S14, 99 acres, is south of the Blueberry Lake Road (St. Louis County Road 120) at the end of U5192AA south of Little Lake.

·         Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake.

Please leave fire fighters space to do their work. Be mindful of aircraft. They may need to scoop water from the lake. Please don’t park fire engines in—they may need to respond to other fires or re-position to support the prescribed burn.

All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points and Superior National Forest Trails are expected to remain open. People may see and smell smoke. As always, the safety of fire fighters, residents, and visitors is the first priority in using fire to reduce hazardous fuels. There will be increased traffic on roads and the lake due to fire operations. Aerial resources may be used for safety, communications, additional control, and monitoring.  For maps and more information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/superior or call 218-365-7600. (Not all of the units shown on the maps are scheduled to be burned at this time.) 

Prescribe burn update from the USFS - September 26, 2014

September 26, 2014

Yesterday, a test fire showed conditions to be too moist for good consumption of hazardous fuels to ignite the Coo Lake North unit. Cloud cover that was predicted to break up by mid-afternoon did not disperse.

A meteorologist from NOAA joined the crew yesterday evening. Spot weather predictions indicated good burning conditions for today, September 26, 2014. The Bear Island Island Unit was chosen because of predicted wind direction, temperatures, and expected weather over the next few days. 

Hazardous fuels have been cleared from around two eagles nests and two campsites. These four areas of concern are ‘plumbed’ with sprinkler hoses. Ignition crews will be following burn patterns designed to protect pine stands on the interior of the island while consuming hazardous fuels on the edges. 

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake.
• Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake.
• Kangas Burn Unit, T61N, R12W, S14, 99 acres, is south of the Blueberry Lake Road (St. Louis County Road 120) at the end of U5192AA south of Little Lake.
• Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake.

Please leave fire fighters space to do their work. Be mindful of aircraft. They may need to scoop water from the lake. Please don’t park fire engines in—they may need to respond to other fires or re-position to support the prescribed burn.

All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points and Superior National Forest Trails are expected to remain open. People may see and smell smoke. As always, the safety of fire fighters, residents, and visitors is the first priority in using fire to reduce hazardous fuels. There will be increased traffic on roads and the lake due to fire operations. Aerial resources may be used for safety, communications, additional control, and monitoring.  

For maps and more information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/superior or call 218-365-7600. (Not all of the units shown on the maps are scheduled to be burned at this time.) 

Loon on her nest

We were fishing on a lake off the Echo trail this past week and came upon a loon on her nest. We drifted close by her and she hardly moved, although she watched us very carefully. The male loon was across the lake fishing.

By the way we caught a couple of small northern pike and had a smallmouth bass grab a lure and flip out of the water.  What a great sight to see.

Stop at Spirit of the Wilderness Bait Shop, Ely MN for your live bait needs as well as current fishing reports.  We talk fishing. Hours: 6 am - 9 pm daily.

Mid-october in the BWCA...don't miss it!

Spent a few hours on Bass lake to Low lake yesterday and the leaf colors were still good, the waters were smooth as glass. I was the only one on the lake except for 2 young loons. They flapped their wings as I got close to them and wailed a bit as if to say "we're here for a few more days and then flying south."

The portage from the Echo Trail to Bass lake is about 270 rods, wide and easy to walk. Took about 15 minutes as I needed to stop to enjoy the colors and smell the Fall leaves.Used a Wenonah Canak. You should try this boat sometime. Easy to carry with a pedestal yoke, weighs 42 lbs, center sliding seat and has excellent glide. I used a kayak paddle. The Canak tracks fairly straight, easy to maneuver.

Have you canoed, kayaked or hike the BWCA this time of the year? There are less people, no bugs, the crisp air is so refreshing, the juncos (birds) will be skittering along the shoreline guiding you as you move, eagles and loons are still here. One does have to come prepared for a change in the weather. Bring hats, gloves, warm socks, jacket, and step gingerly at the portages trying to keep your feet dry.

Canak - not a canoe/not a kayak

Bass lake

Dry Falls

Don't miss the BWCA this Fall

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area is ablaze with Fall colors right now.  We drove the Echo Trail on a guided day trip to Hegman Lake and then east on the Fernberg Road to deliver canoes and kayaks this past weekend. The tree colors were fabulous with the contrast between the conifers, maples, birch, aspen and oaks.

Near the pictographs on Hegman we stopped to see pitcher plants, insect eating plants that look like water pitchers, growing in a bog. We were the only canoe on the lake...what a joy that was. My guest from Phoenix AZ commented that our day trip was the highlight of his visit. And no BUGS!

Spend time in and around the BWCA this time of year. You will not be disappointed.

Hegman Lake pictograph rock face

Early morning on South Hegman

Wolf encounter

While traveling North Grassy Road, off the Echo Trail, yesterday morning, I came across a dark colored wolf in the middle of the road. Rather thin but healthy looking. We both stopped and looked at each other, then into the low brush it went stopping about 30 feet in. I whistled as if calling my dog Luke...it turned and gave me one more look...then vanished.  What a site and opportunity. No photos were taken as this all lasted about 30-45 seconds.