Pagami Creek Fire USFS Update - Sept. 17

TODAY’S MESSAGE: The incident commander announced Friday evening that the fire is 8% contained. Also, fire managers were able to more accurately map the fire’s perimeter on Friday and decreased the acreage from an estimated 100,000 acres to a more precise 93,472 acres. Minnesota’s Governor Dayton, Senators Klobuchar and Franken, and Representative Cravaak toured the fire area on Friday morning. The fire remains under unified command with Cook and Lake Counties. Lake County Commissioners, the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team (IMT), and Aultman’s Type 2 IMT (based in Cook County) began a coordinated effort to develop an integrated evacuation and structure-protection plan for the southeastern portion of the fire area. An Ontario liaison arrived and will remain on the incident. Despite warmer temperatures, drier air, and slightly stronger winds on Friday, the fire primarily crept and smoldered along the ground. The fire will be more active today than it was yesterday, especially on the northern edge, because of increased southerly winds, stronger gusts, and very dry fuels. Most crews and air resources will be working on the northern and southern sides of the fire. As always, firefighter and public safety is the top priority.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:

·         Continue to monitor the 8% containment line.

·         Continue to construct and extend direct fire lines with saws, brush cutters, and dozers and lay fire hose on the fire’s perimeter.

·         Be on the alert for spot fires, and use fire crews to direct air resources to drop water where needed.

·         Host a community meeting at the Isabella Community Center at 11:00 a.m.

BWCAW CLOSURES: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) closures remain the same. The following entry points are open: entry points along the Echo Trail (including Mudro); #25 Moose Lake (travel allowed only up the chain and to the west); #26 Wood Lake; #24 Fall Lake; the whole Trout Lake section (separate section south of the Echo Trail); #42 Brule ONLY; #54A Seagull ONLY; #55A Saganaga ONLY; and the small separate section northeast of the Gunflint Trail from #58 South Lake on the west to #70 North Fowl on the east.

ROAD CLOSURES: Highway 1 is still open.

Closed roads include

·         All roads north of Highway 1 from Forest Road (FR) 1468 east to Isabella

·         Wanless Road (FR 172) east to Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7

·         Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7 north to FR 354

·         FR 354 north to BWCAW boundary at Kawishiwi Lake

·         Wanless Road (FR172)

ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUED:

In Lake County, staffed road blocks will be at the intersections of

·         the Wanless and Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7

·         Highway 1 and the Wanless Road

·         Highway 1 and the Tomahawk Trail

In Cook County, a staffed road block is at the intersection of the Sawbill Trail and Four-Mile Grade so Cook County Road 3 north of that intersection is closed.

Additional closures may occur.

SAFETY: Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority. Forest-wide fire restrictions remain: building, maintaining, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal fires, wood-burning camp stoves, and charcoal grills, is prohibited on all lands (federal, state, local government, and private) within the administrative boundaries of the Superior National Forest. Charcoal grills are allowed at private residences. Use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is allowed. With increased traffic due to the fire and grouse-season starting today, all drivers—the public and fire personnel—should be alert and drive safely.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 93,472 acres

LOCATION: The fire started at Township 63 N, Range 9 W, approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the BWCAW) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One. The fire perimeter from the north is Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Four, and Lake Insula. The perimeter on the east is the southern edge of Lake Polly and east of Kawasachong Lake, the northwest and southern shores of Square Lake, the western shore of Perent Lake, and the northwestern shore of Silver Island Lake, where the fire exited the BWCAW. The southern perimeter crosses the intersection of Island River Road and Lake Twenty-Nine Road, Twenty-Nine Lake, and the Isabella River to just inside the BWCAW at Bog Lake.

AGENCIES: Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Superior National Forest

SMOKE CONDITIONS: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and incident personnel are monitoring smoke conditions. Visit the following website for more information: pca.state.mn.us

RESOURCES: There are 510 people assigned to the fire. Five Type 1 crews and eight Type 2 crews are on the incident. Seven helicopters, including four National Guard Black Hawks, are assigned to the incident. Eight fixed-wing aircraft are assigned, including three float planes, two air tankers, and three air-attack planes.

Pagami Creek Fire USFS Update - Sept. 16

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Doug Turman’s Northern Rockies Type 1 National Incident Management Team assumed management of the Pagami Creek Fire yesterday. The fire is still under the unified command of the Lake and Cook County sheriff’s offices and the Superior National Forest. Moderated fire behavior continued yesterday with the cooler temperatures, higher humidities, and lighter winds. Operations personnel made significant progress on both the northern and southern perimeters. Firefighters attacked the northwestern corner and pushed east along the northern perimeter. On the western flank, a crew began constructing line starting at Clearwater Lake and working toward the northwest. Sprinkler systems were installed on two portages. The southern divisions mopped up a small spot fire south of Bog Lake. Outside the wilderness, bulldozers were used to clear line and engine crews supported hand crews. A large spike camp has been established near Isabella. Additional fire restrictions go into effect today (see below).

ACTIVITIES TODAY:

·         Continue to provide for the safety of the public and firefighters.

·         Extend hose lays further east along the northern perimeter.

·         Continue to construct line along the southern perimeter outside the wilderness before attacking the flanks within the wilderness.

·         Complete water-safety training and other orientation with newly arrived crews.

·         Host a community meeting at the Isabella Community Center at 11:00 a.m.

·         Staff a Joint Information Center from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kawishiwi Ranger District Office in Ely.

BWCAW CLOSURES: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) closures remain the same. The following entry points are open: entry points along the Echo Trail (including Mudro); #25 Moose Lake (travel allowed only up the chain and to the west); #26 Wood Lake; #24 Fall Lake; the whole Trout Lake section (separate section south of the Echo Trail); #42 Brule ONLY; #54A Seagull ONLY; #55A Saganaga ONLY; and the small separate section northeast of the Gunflint Trail from #58 South Lake on the west to #70 North Fowl on the east.

ROAD CLOSURES: Road closures remain the same. Highway 1 is still open. Closed roads include

·         All roads north of Highway 1 from Forest Road (FR) 1468 east to Isabella

·         Wanless Road (FR 172) east to Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7

·         Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7 north to FR 354

·         FR 354 north to BWCAW boundary at Kawishiwi Lake

·         Wanless Road (FR172)

Staffed road blocks within Lake County will be at

·         intersection of Wanless and Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7

·         Highway 1 and Wanless Road

·         Highway 1 and Tomahawk Trail

The road block within Cook County will be Highway 3 just west of Sawbill Road. Additional closures may occur.

SAFETY: As of today, September 16, building, maintaining, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal fires, wood-burning campstoves, and charcoal grills, is prohibited anywhere on national forest lands within the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is allowed.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 100,000 acres

LOCATION: The fire started at Township 63 N, Range 9 W, approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the BWCAW) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One. The fire perimeter from the north is Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Four, and Lake Insula. The perimeter on the east is the southern edge of Lake Polly and east of Kawasachong Lake, the northwest and southern shores of Square Lake, the western shore of Perent Lake, and the northwestern shore of Silver Island Lake, where the fire exited the BWCAW. The southern perimeter crosses the intersection of Island River Road and Lake Twenty-Nine Road, Twenty-Nine Lake, and the Isabella River to just inside the BWCAW at Bog Lake.

AGENCIES: Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Superior National Forest

SMOKE CONDITIONS: Smoke may be heavy and widespread depending on wind direction and speed.

RESOURCES: One hundred firefighters from Arizona were added yesterday, bringing personnel up to 436. Five Type 1 crews and eight Type 2 crews are on the incident. Seven helicopters, including four National Guard Black Hawks, are assigned to the incident. Eight fixed-wing aircraft are assigned, including three float planes, two air tankers, and three air-attack planes.

BWCA Fire Ban Effective Now

We just received a call from the Forest Service stating that a total fire ban is now in effect for the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  No campfires are allowed in the Boundary Waters until further notice. 

Pagami Creek Fire Progression Map

This fire progression map is color-coded by day through September 13.

Pagami Creek Fire Map of Sept. 13 at 7PM

At about 100,000 acres, the Pagami Fire is the third largest wildfire in Minnesota history.  This map shows the fire extending east to Parent and Kawishiwi Lakes. 

Pagami Creek Fire Update for Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011

Contact: Fire Information 218-365-3177

TODAY'S MESSAGE: The Pagami Creek Fire continues under Unified Command of Lake County, MNICS, and the Superior National Forest. Acreage increased yesterday due in large part to improved mapping of the fire perimeter as the smoke cleared. The fire did push farther south, exiting the southern Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) boundary about one mile in a wavering line. Despite gusting winds, there was limited fire growth due to lower temperatures and higher humidity. Crews were very effective in continuing to hold the northwest corner of the fire. Areas around the fire were assessed and additional BWCAW and road closures were enacted. The National Guard is sending four Blackhawk helicopters and Manitoba is sending two water bombers and an air attack plane. Approximately 170 people attended a community meeting in Ely yesterday evening. About 40 people attended a meeting in Grand Marais yesterday evening.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:

Containment efforts have begun with heavy equipment outside the wilderness along the southern perimeter. Crews will be patrolling lines and monitoring for any hot spots.

Airplanes and helicopters are being used to drop water to slow the spread of the fire.

Community Meetings will be held at the Poplar Lake Fire Hall on the Gunflint Trail at 11:00 a.m. and at the Isabella Community Center at 11:00 a.m., today, September 14, 2011.

BWCAW CLOSURES: All entry points are closed except for: entry points along the Echo Trail (including Mudro); #25 Moose Lake (travel allowed only up the chain and to the west); #26 Wood Lake; #24 Fall Lake; the whole Trout Lake section (separate section south of the Echo Trail); #42 Brule ONLY; #54A Seagull ONLY; #55A Saganaga ONLY; and the Vento section (small separate section northeast of the Gunflint Trail).

ROAD CLOSURES: All roads north of the following route are closed: Highway 1 from Forest Road (FR) 1468 east to Isabella; Wanless Road (FR 172) east to Cramer/Lake County Road 7; Cramer/Lake County Road 7 north to FR 354; FR 354 north to BWCAW boundary at Kawishiwi Lake. Highway 1 is still open. The Wanless Road is closed. Road blocks staffed within Lake County will be at the intersections of Wanless and Cramer, Highway 1 and Wanless, Hwy 1 and Tomahawk Trail. Road blocks within Cook County will be Hwy 3 just west of Sawbill Road. Additional closures may occur.

SAFETY: The Superior National Forest and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are enacting additional fire restrictions for areas outside the BWCAW. Go to thehttp://www.inciweb.org/, MNICS.org and the Superior National Forest websites for further information.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 100,000 acres

LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.

AGENCY: Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District

SMOKE CONDITIONS: Smoke may be heavy and wide-spread depending on wind direction.

RESOURCES: 230 personnel are assigned to the fire.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Phone (218) 365-3177

Internet: www.inciweb.org/incident/2534

Pagami Creek Fire Talking Points from USFS

Talking Points for Tuesday, September 13, 2011

 

1.        Large portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) are now closed to visitor use, due to the Pagami Creek fire which has been exhibiting extreme fire behavior and fire spread. There are not enough public safety personnel to provide safe passage if the public continues to access the wilderness. 

All Entry points are  closed except for : 
        Entry points along the Echo Trail (including Mudro); 
        #25 Moose Lake (travel allowed only up the chain and to the west); 
        #26 Wood Lake 
        #24 Fall Lake 
        The whole Trout Lake Section; 
        # 42 Brule-Only ; 
        #54A Seagull Only; 
        # 55A Saganaga Only; and 
        Vento section (the small separate section northeast of the Gunflint Trail) 

2.         Weather will continue to be a factor in fire spread for the next two days (high winds).  Winds are currently from the west at 16 mph with gusts to 28.  
3.        Safety is of the highest concern and there have been no injuries.  There has been no loss of structure.
4.        There will be a Community meeting 7 PM tonight at the Vermillion Community College Theater.
5.        We are very grateful to the communities from the East Range Coalition Fire Departments and local residents who have made equipment available to aide in local fire-fighting efforts. Thank you!
6.        Public  Meetings:
a.         Gunflint Trail Poplar Lake Fire Hall 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2011
b.        Gunflint Ranger District Office 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011
c.        Kawishiwi Ranger District Office 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011
7.        Under Unified Command with Lake County and Cook County Sheriff’s Offices

Official USFS Closure Notice for Areas in the BWCAW and Superior National Forest

Under authority of the Act of Congress of June 4, 1897, 16 USC 551, and pursuant to the Secretary of Agriculture’s Regulations set forth at 36 CFR 261.50(a) and 261.50(b), and 261.50(f), the following acts or omissions are prohibited on portions of Superior National Forest System lands, roads and trails, Lake County, Cook County. Minnesota, effective September 13, 2011:

1.    BWCAW CAMPSITE CLOSURE: It is prohibited to be upon BWCAW campsites and areas which are posted closed.  Closed areas are marked with a closure notice visible at the site.  36 CFR 261.53(e) Special Closures, Public Health or Safety.

2.    AFFECTED AREA: All campsites/areas/entry points of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING:

a.    Entry points along the Echo Trail (including Mudro)

b.    #25 Moose Lake Chain (Travel allowed only up the chain and to the west)

c.    #26 Wood Lake.

d.    #24 Fall Lake.

e.    The whole Trout Lake Section.

f.     #42 Brule-Only.

g.    #54A Seagull Only.

h.    #55A Saganaga Only>

i.      Vento section(the small separate section northeast of the Gunflint Trail)  

3.   AFFECTED AREA:  The following roads are closed.

a.    County Highway 7 North at the intersection of 4 mile Grade Rd.

All ROADS AND TRAILS NORTH OF 4 MILE GRADE RD/170/The Grade Rd.

b.    Wilson Lake Rd.

c.    Forest Road 355

d.    Forest Road 348

e.    Forest Road 1226

f.     Forest Road 347

g.    Forest Road 1238

h.    Sawbill Road Cook Co.2

All of Forest Road 339/Rice Lake Rd starting at the intersection of The Grade Rd/170 ending at Forest Road 340/Rice Lake Rd.

All of Forest Road 340/Clara Lake Rd starting at Forest Road 339/Rice Lake Rd and ending at the Grade Rd/170                    

4.    Closure signs will be used at normal points of access to delineate the closure area.  See vicinity map, Exhibit A.

Map of Massive BWCAW Closures Due to Pagami Creek Fire

We just received this from the USFS at about 5PM.  Brown is the closure area.  The red outline shows the burned area as of yesterday at 7PM.

Pagami Creek Fire Update - Sept. 13

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Yesterday, a finger of the Pagami Creek Fire made an unprecedented 16 mile run to the east, reaching the edge of Polly Lake. The fire became a plume-driven event and reached in excess of 60,000 acres. The fire is now under Unified Command with Lake County Sheriff’s Office as full partners of management of this fire. Residents were evacuated from 36 addresses along the portion of the Cramer Road/Lake County Road 7 from Kawishiwi Lake south to the Wanless Road (Forest Road 172) and along the Wanless Road west from the junction with the Cramer Road to Homestead Lake. Public Safety crews continue to range the wilderness, moving visitors out of areas where they may be at risk. A town meeting held in Isabella was attended by about 100 concerned residents. Winds are expected to be strong and out of the northwest and west again today with little or no precipitation expected.

ACTIVITIES TODAY: Hand crews on the north side of the fire will be patrolling lines and monitoring for any fire spread Airplanes and helicopters are being used to drop water to slow the spread of the fire. Areas around the fire within the BWCAW are being assessed to plan for visitor evacuation and closure. A Community Meeting will be held at the Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota tonight, September 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Daily public meetings will be held in Isabella Community Center at 11:00 a.m. A Joint Information Center has been set up in the Kawishiwi Ranger District Office for answering both Superior National Forest and Lake County questions.

BWCAW CLOSURES: Closures will be added soon. A complete list will be sent out soon. ROAD CLOSURES: All roads north of the following route are closed: Highway 1 from Forest Road (FR) 1468 east to Isabella; Wanless Road (FR 172) east to Lake County Road 7; Lake County Road 7 north to FR 354; FR 354 north to BWCAW boundary at Kawishiwi Lake. Highway 1 is still open. Road blocks staffed within Lake County will be at the intersections of Wanless and Cramer, Highway 1 and Wanless, Hwy 1 and Tomahawk Trail. Road blocks within Cook County will be Hwy 3 just west of Sawbill Road. Additional closures may occur.

SAFETY: The Superior National Forest and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are enacting additional fire restrictions for areas outside the BWCAW. Go to the MNICS.org and the Superior National Forest websites for further information.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011
CAUSE: Lightning CURRENT SIZE: in excess of 60,000 acres
LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.
AGENCY: Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District
SMOKE CONDITIONS: Smoke may be heavy and wide spread depending on wind direction. RESOURCES: Nearly 200 personnel are assigned to the fire.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Phone (218) 365-3177

Pagami Creek Fire - Sept. 12 Update

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Yesterday, strong north winds drove a point of the Pagami Creek Fire south toward the Isabella River. Approximately 50 campers from the river and lake routes south of the fire and 70 campers along the eastern front of the fire were assisted out of the wilderness by Public Safety Crews. Entry points near the fire were closed and campers with reservations were given the option to reserve a new permit with available quota from other entry points. Wilderness wide campfire restrictions were enacted. Campfires will be allowed only between 6:00 p.m. and midnight until further notice.

ACTIVITIES TODAY: Public Safety crews are posted at portages and entry points to keep visitors clear of areas threatened by fire as well as those areas that may fill with dense smoke. Airplanes and helicopters are being used to drop water, keeping the fire within the wilderness and south and east of the Kawishiwi River. Crews will focus containment efforts on the northern edge and southern tip of the fire.

CLOSURES: Most of the BWCAW remains safe and open to visitors. To insure public safety the following waterways and portages are closed: Lakes One through Hudson, Fire, Bridge, Rifle, the Wilders, Horseshoe, Pagami, Clearwater, Turtle, Camdre, Pietro, Gull, Quadga, Rice, Isabella Lake, and the Isabella River. The southern campsites on Bald Eagle are closed. The Pow Wow Trail is closed. The following entry points are closed: #30 Lake One, #84 Snake River, #75 Little Isabella River, #67 Bog Lake, #86 Pow Wow Trail, #35 Isabella Lake, and #34 Island River. Today, campsites on the southern end of Insula Lake will be added to the closures. Sites, routes and portages will be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

SAFETY: Public Safety crews will be working with campers in nearby lakes including Insula to advise them of safe travel routes. Campfire restrictions are in place. In the entire BWCAW campfires are allowed only between 6 p.m. and midnight. Be sure that campfires are doused thoroughly until cold to the touch.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011
CAUSE: Lightning
CURRENT SIZE: approximately 11,000 acres--acreage is expected to increase today due to weather conditions.
LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, Sections 30, 31, 32: approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.
AGENCY: Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District
SMOKE CONDITIONS: Smoke may be heavy and wide spread depending on wind direction. RESOURCES: A 20 person Minnesota Incident Command System crew of firefighters arrived last night. Another crew is on order. Yesterday, we received assistance from a Canadian air tanker. A helicopter and a CL-215 air tanker are at the Ely tanker base.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Phone (218) 365-3177 Internet: www.inciweb.org/incident/2534

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BWCA Fire Restrictions Effective Today

Effective September 12, 2011, campfires are only allowed in designated campsites within firegrates between 6PM and midnight. 

I snapped this photo of the Fire Danger sign outside the USFS Kawishiwi Ranger District office yesterday.

Pagami Creek Fire in BWCAW - Sept. 11, 2011

TODAY’S MESSAGE:  Yesterday’s dry air and north winds pushed the Pagami Creek Fire farther south yesterday. In consideration of today’s high fire indices, fire managers began a proactive movement of campers from Lakes Two through Hudson, nearby routes, and the Isabella River within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Specific closures are listed below. Most of the BWCAW remains safe and open to visitors eager to enjoy the fall season.   

ACTIVITIES TODAY:   
Public Safety crews are sweeping the areas to be closed, assisting campers into other lakes.  
Airplanes and helicopters are being used to drop water, keeping the fire within the wilderness and south and east of the Kawishiwi River. 

CLOSURES: The vast majority of the BWCAW remains safe and open to visitors. To insure public safety the following waterways and portages are temporarily closed: Lakes One through Hudson, Fire, Bridge, Rifle, the Wilders, Horseshoe, Pagami, Clearwater, Turtle, Camdre, Pietro, Gull, Quadga, Rice,  Isabella Lake, and the Isabella River. The southern campsites on Bald Eagle are closed. The Pow Wow Trail is closed. Sites, routes and portages will be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so. The following entry points are closed: #30 Lake One, #84 Snake River, #75 Little Isabella River, #67 Bog Lake, #86 Pow Wow Trail, #35 Isabella Lake, and #34 Island River. Campers already in the BWCAW will be able to travel through these routes to exit the wilderness but visitors will not be allowed to enter at these points until further notice. 

SAFETY: Campfire restrictions are in place. Wilderness wide, campfires are allowed only between 6 p.m. and midnight. Be sure that campfires are doused thoroughly until cold to the touch. 

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011
CAUSE:  Lightning
CURRENT SIZE:  approximately 4500 acres burned. Acreage is expected to increase today due to weather conditions.
LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, Sections 30, 31, 32:  approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.
AGENCY:  Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District
SMOKE CONDITIONS: Smoke may be heavy and wide spread depending on wind direction.
RESOURCES:  The fire is now under the management of Type 2 Incident Management Team Hinds. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:         
Phone (218) 365-3177   
Internet:  www.inciweb.org/incident/2534

Pagami Creek Fire in BWCA Prompts Temporary Closures

Unseasonably dry, warm conditions and low relative humidities yesterday allowed the Pagami Creek Fire to burn actively south of the Lakes One and Two area. The burn out operation conducted last weekend was successful in reducing the threat of the fire escaping the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and threatening the Fernberg corridor to the north.

To provide for public safety the Superior National Forest is temporarily closing the following:

- As a precautionary measure Lakes Two and Three will be closed. [Note the Forest Service has clarified that travel will be allowed through Lakes Two and Three, but no overnight camping will be allowed there.] Visitors currently in that area will be contacted by public safety crews. Alternatives include returning to Lake One for those leaving the area before Monday. Visitors who will be in the Wilderness beyond Monday are asked to head east into Lake Four or beyond. People intending to visit Lake One are encouraged to find other plans or paddle on the Kawishiwi River.

- All campsites on Clearwater Lake

- The portage between Lake Two and Clearwater Lake

- The portage between Turtle Lake and Clearwater Lake - The portage between Camdre Lake and Clearwater Lake

- The Powwow Trail Public Safety crews will be contacting BWCAW visitors in affected areas to alert them of any safety concerns.

As the Pagami Creek Fire moves south it is continuing to provide resource management benefits such as preparing seed beds for pine regeneration and decreasing fuels for future wildfires. As the fire burns to the south it is reaching older burned areas. These earlier burns may function like fuel breaks and decrease the likelihood of the fire moving further south.

Paddlers are asked to avoid the fire area. People throughout northeastern Minnesota have been experiencing smoke from the Pagami Creek Fire. The increase in fire activity means an increase in smoke as well. The location of the smoke will be dependent on wind direction. Anyone with a history of cardiac or respiratory disease should be aware that visitors to the Lakes One, Two and Three area are likely to experience heavy smoke at times.

Persistent warm, dry conditions have raised the fire danger throughout the area. Visitors are reminded to be careful with all fire use and ensure that their campfires doused thoroughly until cool to the touch.

For additional information please call (218) 365-3177 or visit www.inciweb.org/incident/2534

A Win for Wild Horizons in the Wilderness

When AT&T decided to build an exceptionally tall 450' cell tower at the top of a high ridge bordering the BWCAW, the nonprofit advocacy organization Friends of the Boundary Waters took action.  For the most part, BWCAW horizons are unimpaired by signs of civilization.  The Friends want to keep it that way.  The new tower's flashing red light would be visible from many lakes deep in the Wilderness. The Friends attempted to persuade AT&T to build two shorter, and more typical, 199' cell towers that would provide coverage for the residences outside of the BWCAW without significantly impairing Boundary Waters viewscapes.

When AT&T failed to respond to the Friends' request, the Friends filed suit in Minnesota State Court claiming violation of Minnesota environmental laws.  

We're happy to have supported the Friends in this effort to preserve the special wild horizons of the spectacular Boundary Waters.  We're also proud to have served a small role in the lawsuit process. In January, I guided the expert surveyor on the case by dogsled to remote parts of the BWCAW.  We traveled over frozen (and at times slush-covered) lakes and snow-covered portages to obtain special survey readings to present as evidence at trial.   

The case went to trial this late spring and the judge recently made his ruling.  The decision is a clear win for the Friends and the importance of wild horizons in the BWCAW.  The ruling expressly prohibits the 450' tower.

The Judge's decision is worth the read, making a strong argument for the special value of wilderness. You can download the ruling (large 6 MB file) and read it for yourself.

The judge concludes that a 199-foot, unlighted tower, which he explicitly allowed in his ruling, would serve all the same residences outside of the BWCAW. The judge also discussed the significant impact the proposed tower would have had: "The scenic views and vistas from within the BWCAW are rare, unique, endangered and of great historical significance. This factor weighs very strongly against construction of the Proposed Tower."

You can support the Friends of the Boundary Waters and their efforts to protect our beloved part of the world by becoming a member and donating money.  Without this important advocacy group, no other organization exists to effectively speak up for the Wilderness and the importance of preserving its wild character.  Many challenges still face the Wilderness, including the threat of water pollution from new sulfide mining proposals at the edge of the Boundary Waters, and the Friends are the foremost watchdog providing good information and advocacy on these issues.

This photo was snapped recently by Ely Outfitting Company guests Nate and Linda Ferris on Quadga Lake in the BWCA.  What a shame if such sunset views were impaired by a glaring red flashing light.  Thankfully, committed professionals are working to protect these viewscapes.

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Protect Collared Research Black Bears

We are supporting an effort to encourage black bear hunters to not shoot collared research bears. The effort is called the Black Bear Hunters Jackpot and rewards bear hunters if no research bears are killed or injured during the black bear hunting season that begins this week. Although Minnesota law does not make it illegal to shoot a collared research black bear by licensed hunters, these research bears are extremely important to the future of understanding black bear behavior. Ely Outfitting Company and Boundary Waters Guide Service do not outfit or guide hunting trips, but we support responsible hunting practices as an important part of wildlife management. Please read below for more info on the jackpot.

An anonymous party is offering a Jackpot of $5000 to black bear hunters in Minnesota. The Jackpot is being offered in order to help protect the black bears being researched by Dr. Lynn Rogers of the National Bear Center and the Wildlife Research Institute in Ely, Minnesota. The benefactors are offering the prize to every hunter who has a valid black bear permit for the 2011 bear hunting season in bear hunting areas 22, 24, 25 and 31.

The drawing is intended to reward hunters for refraining from shooting the 8-20 radio collared research bears with or without brightly colored tape or ribbons attached to their collars, so that valuable data from those bears is not lost. The benefactors are hoping that if a hunter enters the drawing, they will be less likely to shoot a collared bear, because it would invalidate the drawing. They are also hopeful that every hunter who enters the drawing will ask their fellow hunters not to shoot the bears, and that they in turn will enter the drawing. The sponsors see this as a non-judgmental, simple, direct, and hopefully effective way to discourage shooting the research bears. It is not an effort to stop bear hunting in Minnesota, because the benefactors realize that hunting is a needed management tool, which is used to keep the number of bears in Minnesota in balance with both the carrying capacity and the human social acceptance capacity of the land.

To be eligible to win the Jackpot, hunters must send a copy of their permit to entry@bearhuntersjackpot.com or have their permit photographed by volunteers while they are in those hunting areas, before or during the 2011 bear hunting season. The volunteers will then enter the permits into the drawing. After the hunting season is over, the drawing will be held using a random number process and the winner will be sent a cashier’s check for $5000. However, the Jackpot will only be offered if none of the research bears are shot or wounded during the hunting season. The email addresses and names of the entrants will be held in confidence and will not be used for any other purpose than the drawing.

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Bald Eagles in the BWCAW

Nevada Smith and his family recently paddled up to Lac la Croix for a week. The guys were fishing and saw this bald eagle intently watching them. Eventually, after much successful fishing of their own, they watched as the bald eagle came soaring down, scooped a fish out of the water they had recently caught and landed back in its trees near their campsite. The guys continued to watch as it ate the small fish. There's nothing quite like a fresh fish meal, for people or for eagles. Thanks to Nevada for sharing his photos here on Boundary Waters Blogger!