Public Information Fact Sheet: Monday, May 21, 2012 

Fire crews took advantage of the long daylight hours to actively seek hotspots and mop up the Holy Carp and the Sawdust Pile fires this morning before predicted winds increase in the afternoon.

Fire officials ask that the public be alert to any new fires or smokes that may have resulted from Friday night’s lightning storms. Lightning strikes can smolder unnoticed for several days after initial ignition. Please report any new fire occurrences by calling 911.

Fire conditions remain extremely dry in Northwest Minnesota. Saturday’s light rainfall was not adequate to reduce the fire danger and expected warm temperatures, low humidity, and winds will increase potential fire activity today. Northwest Minnesota remains in a long term dry weather pattern.

This firefighting group will remain assigned until wildfire conditions moderate. 

Burning Restrictions: Burning permits are required for all open burning. Permits require daily activation prior to burning. On days when weather conditions make it likely for fires to escape control, the voice response system will not issue burning permit activations. Conditions in Northwestern Minnesota remain very dry making fire control very difficult. 

Team:  Type 3 MNICS Incident Management Team, Tom Lynch, Incident Commander

Responsible Agency: Minnesota DNR, Warroad Area Forestry

General Location: Warroad, Roseau County, Minnesota

Total Personnel Assigned: 25

DNR Warroad Area Forestry Office – 218-386-1304
DNR Baudette Area Forestry Office – 218-634-2172

Update:   May 21, 2012

TODAY’S MESSAGE:   The Type 2 Team managing the Highway 1 Fire has been released.  A Type 3 Team took over management at 7:00 am today.  The Fire Information phone number has changed back to the Kawishiwi Ranger District at 218-365-7600.

The fire is 100% contained.  The emphasis for today’s operational period will be continued mop-up and rehabilitation.  Infrared equipment will be used on the ground and from the air running a grid pattern to detect hot spots that may still remain within the burn area.  Crews will extinguish anything that is found. The burn area received approximately 1½ inches of rain.

CLOSURES:  No closures at this time.  Motorist should use caution when traveling on Highway 1 due to continued use by fire fighting vehicles during the mop-up process.

SAFETY:  People need to stay out of the black area of the burn.  Observation should be from Highway 1 only.

DATE OF DETECTION:  May 17, 2012

CAUSE:  Suspected downed power line

CURRENT SIZE: 175 acres.

LOCATION: One quarter mile south of Ely along Highway 1

AGENCIES:  USDA Forest Service, MN Dept. of Natural Resources

RESOURCES:  Equipment and personnel are being downsized. Aircraft are available if needed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Fire Information number is now 218-365-7600.  For additional information, call the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center at 218-327-4564 or please visit any of the following sites: 

www.inciweb.org

www.mnics.org

www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking residents of fire-prone northwestern Minnesota counties to watch for any new smoke or fire sightings after Friday’s lightning storm and report them through the 911 system. Lightning strikes can generate fires that smolder and go unnoticed for days or weeks following a storm.

Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Beltrami and Lake of the Woods counties remain dry and the area has experienced nearly constant wildfire activity in recent months. A recent rainfall delivered scant precipitation amounts varying from just a trace, to one-third of an inch in the fire-prone counties. The return of warm temperatures, low humidity and breezy conditions will quickly evaporate the new precipitation. The area remains in a long term dry weather pattern.

Despite their green appearance, leafing trees contribute to the fire danger. Leafing trees are pulling soil moisture up their trunks to new leaf growth at the tops of trees, leaving ground soil seasonally dry. Waxy substances on new leaves make them more susceptible to burning when exposed to fire.

Lack of winter snowfall has left grasses standing from last year, which makes them quick fuel for a wildfire.

Burning permits are required for all open burning.  Permits require daily activation prior to burning.  On days when weather conditions make it likely for fires to escape control, the voice response system will not issue activations. Conditions in Northwestern Minnesota remain very dry making fire control very difficult. 

DNR Warroad area forestry office, 218-386-1304

DNR Baudette area forestry office, 218-634-2172

New Fire Information Phone Number 218-365-7355  

8:00 am – 8:00 pm             

The fire is 60% contained.  Size 175 acres.

The emphasis can now shift from securing containment lines to a mop-up effort. Crews will be working their way in 150 feet from the outside perimeter to be sure there is no active fire inside the area that could escape the perimeter.  Some heavy equipment such as dozers and excavators have been released and will be replaced by tracked vehicles that are more effective within the perimeter and along the wet areas.

Due to outstanding structure protection efforts by the Morse Township and Ely Fire Departments, no homes were lost.   One home, upon closer on-site examination had a porch pillar with some charring.  Three outbuildings were confirmed lost. 

CLOSURES:  A closure remains in place along Highway 1 until 8 am, Sunday, May 20.

CAUSE:  Suspected downed power line

LOCATION: One quarter mile south of Ely along Highway 1

UNIFIED COMMAND:  City of Ely Police and Fire Chiefs, Town of Morse Fire Chief, Forest Service, St. Louis County Sheriff

SMOKE CONDITIONS:  People may see and smell smoke.

RESOURCES:   Helicopters and various other aircraft will be utilized. CL215s are available if needed.  Fire fighters will be continuing suppression work throughout the fire area.  Ely and Morse Township fire departments are providing structure protection.  Approximately 125 people from a variety of agencies are supporting in the Highway 1 Fire effort.

OTHER FIRES:  Assistance was provided to the Babbitt Fire Department overnight as they suppressed a fire involving three structures, two that were lost and one damaged.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Fire Information number is 218-365-7355. For additional information, please visit any of the following sites:         

www.inciweb.org

www.mnics.org

www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home

In light of continued dry and windy conditions, the Forest Service will implement campfire restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Superior National Forest.

Beginning Saturday, May 19, 2012, campfires, charcoal or wood-burning camp stoves will be allowed ONLY between 7 pm and midnight within the entire BWCAW.  

Use of gas and propane cook stoves is allowed at any time of day.

For details regarding current conditions on the Superior National Forest, please check with one of the Forest offices or visit the Forest web site at: www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

Contact:   Kris Reichenbach, 218-626-4393

In Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) administers fire restrictions for lands other than national forest system lands.  For information regarding State restrictions and policy, check the Minnesota DNR website: Fire Danger and Current Burning Restrictions.

[Show as slideshow] .">">Gallery 1:  Aerial photos, 5-17-12, Wayne Erickson