Welcome to the BWCAW blog of Ely Outfitting Company and Boundary Waters Guide Service!

See our websites at ElyOutfittingCompany.com and BoundaryWatersGuideService.com.

We are a Boundary Waters canoe trip outfitter, Quetico outfitter, and guide service in Ely, Minnesota. This Boundary Waters blog shares photos, stories, humor, skills, and naturalist insights from guiding in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

Most entries are from our founder and head guide, Jason Zabokrtsky. He is the Boundary Waters Blogger.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Pagami Creek Fire USFS Update - Sept. 26

With the Pagami Creek Fire now 53% contained and almost a thousand people assigned to the incident, we are going to stop posting these daily updates.  Of course, we will provide important news as it arises. 

TODAY'S MESSAGE: The Pagami Creek Fire is now 53% contained. Size remains the same at 93,459 acres. Today warmer dryer weather will increase the likelihood for fire activity, and smoke may be visible. Aerial patrol will continue to search for new spot fires and assist ground crews with bucket drops as needed. Yesterday, air resources dropped 267,000 gallons of water, delivered 11,000 pounds of cargo, and conducted 3 reconnaissance flights.
ACTIVITIES TODAY:
· Rehabilitation work will begin on dozer lines outside the wilderness areas.
· New resources will be transitioning with resources timing out.
· Line construction and mop up continues along the fire perimeter.
UPCOMING EVENTS: A community meeting will be held today at the Northern Tier Boy Scout Camp at 2 p.m., and tomorrow at the Isabella Community Center at 11 a.m.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Weather will remain similar to the last two days with some clouds, highs in the upper 60s, lower humidity in the 40% range, and variable winds between 8 -10 mph, with gusts up to 17 to 18 mph. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be warmer, with highs near 70, and slightly windier, with gusts in the teens. A drying trend is expected to continue until Wednesday night. The extended forecast calls for a chance of rain to return to the area Wednesday evening into Thursday. Warmer, drier air is expected to increase fire activity with the possibility of producing more smoke.
AREA/ROAD CLOSURES: Some Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points remain closed for day and overnight use. For a complete list of closures, please visitwww.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home.
Highway 1 is open. The following roads, trails, and areas are closed: FR 381 north from the intersection with FR 377 (Tomahawk Rd.) and all areas north and east of FR 381; FR 373 (Northwest Rd.) south from FR 377 to the intersection of FR 369 and all areas north and east of this route; FR 369 east from the intersection of FR 369; FR 373 to the intersection of FR 369 and Lake Cty. Rd 7 (Cramer Rd./Windy Lake Rd.) including all areas north of this route; all areas to the west of Lake Cty. Rd. 7 between the intersections with FR 369 and FR 354 (Cty. Rd. 7 is open for travel); and FR 354 north from the intersection with Lake Cty. Rd 7 and all areas west of FR 354.
DETECTED: August 18, 2011
CAUSE: Lightning
ACREAGE: 93,459
LOCATION: The fire started approximately 13 miles east of Ely.
RESOURCES: There are 968 people assigned to the incident, which is a temporary increase as new crews checked in the day before outgoing crews checked out. Crews consist of 15 hotshot (Type 1) crews, 12 Type 2 crews, and four camp crews. Air operations will continue to support the fire suppression efforts as needed.

No comments: