Saturday, August 31, 2013

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

Friday, August 30, 2013

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.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

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.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

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.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

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.