New fire updates for those going to the Ely area in the near future.

[greatoutdoors]

                  West Zone Fire Update

                                                                                     Ely, MN

                                                                          Sept. 10, 2012 4:30 p.m.

   

CONTACT:  Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District , 218-365-2093 or 343-3026

Special Notifications:  The warm, dry, and windy conditions today are quickly counteracting Saturday’s cool, moist weather. A fire restriction for the entire BWCAW continues to be in effect, allowing visitors to have campfires only at night from 7:00 pm to midnight.  Gas and propane stoves are permitted anytime.

Current Fire Activity: 

A new start, Batista Fire, has just been discovered near Batista Lake, Township 66, Range 13, the northeast corner of Section 9—east of (U.S.) Agnes and west of Iron Lake. The FS Beaver dropped water until the Sikorsky Type 2 could respond. A ground crew will also be used.

The Rivard Fire, R 61, R 13, portions of Sections 23 and 24, near the Rivard Road off Highway 21, was fought by the Forest Service, the Babbitt Fire Department, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources today.

Resources Available: Forest Service Fire Engines, approximately 40 personnel. Aircraft in Ely are two Beaver float planes, a Sikorsky Type 2 helicopter, and a Type 3 helicopter.  CL215s and more helicopters are available if needed.

Contained Fires:

Cummings Lake Fire: T64 R14 Section 28, BWCAW; On a peninsula separating the west end of Cummings Lake from the northeast side of Otter Lake.  50 Acres. 100% contained.  Mop up efforts are underway.

Controlled Fires:

Wooden Leg Fire:  T64 R9 Section 13: -91 25.43, 48 01.42, BWCAW: The closure of Ensign and surrounding lakes and portages remains in effect at this time. A closure map can be found on the Superior National Forest website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/home

Closures:  Ensign, Vera, Trident, Frog, Splash, Spigot, Perdu, Trader, Shallow, Arkose, Explorer, Bedford, Wooden Leg, Grub, Ashigan, Missionary, Boot, Haven, Abinodji, Swing, and Gibson Lakes. The Snowbank Hiking Trail from Boot Lake west to the Trailhead is also closed.  Sucker Lake has a few campsites closed near the Splash portage.

Suppressed fires now ‘Out’

Out on 9/6/12: Beartrap Fire;

Out on 9/7/12: Cloquet Line, Hawk’s Nest, Thunder Lake, Spring Creek, Fire Lake, and Aikio Fires.

 

 

Becca Manlove

Information Assistant

Kawishiwi Ranger District