Update: Wood Lake fire in BWCA is 50 percent contained
Wood Lake wildfire in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
UPDATE:
The Wood Lake wildfire continues to burn in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Superior National Forest says that the fire is 50% contained at 27 acres as of Friday, September 27. The point of #26 Wood Lake is now back open, including Hula Lake, Good Lake, and Indiana Lake.
The Forest Service says drought conditions in Northern Minnesota are causing more fire activity in the area. Forest staff are monitoring with additional resources on standby.
The fire was reported on September 10 and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Forest Service says that it might be human-caused. Superior NF law enforcement is asking for any information regarding the fire. Contact the Superior NF Tipline at SM.FS.SUP-tipline@usda.gov
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Some precipitation over the last 48 hours has helped keep the fire activity to minimum.
On Wednesday, September 18, officials say New England firefighters from the White Mountain National Forest are being assigned to the fire. The crew will scout contingency lines on the east and west sides of the fire. For safety of firefighters, the Forest Service says crews are not “mopping up” due to snag hazards of downed trees and weakened roots systems.
The area received very little precipitation overnight Sunday. The Forest Service says there was minimal fire activity on Monday.
The Superior National Forest will be adjusting the Emergency Closure Order #09-09-24-07 for the public’s health and safety due to the Wood Lake fire within the vicinity of recreation areas. Beginning at 12:01 am Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Wind Lake travel corridor lakes and portages will be lifted off the closure. An updated Exhibit A-List of Closed Areas and Exhibit B-Closure map will be released for the closure adjustments. For the safety of firefighting resources, no drones are allowed near the fire area and are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas.
Update: Sunday, September 15, 2024
Firefighters made progress Saturday with the higher humidity levels and are continuing to reinforce the fire’s containment line. They are continuing to suppress the fire, strengthen the holding lines with low intensity burning and using natural features.
The National Preparedness Level remains at a 5.
According to the Sunday’s report, “A Suppression Module of firefighters from Connecticut have arrived to assist with the fire. Resources will continue to scout for the best containment lines while strengthening existing lines on the west side and hold eastern lines. Using minimum impact strategies and tactics. Additionally, firefighters continue to analyze contingency planning around the Moose Lake area, planning that wider perimeter area around the fire.“
Overnight Friday and Saturday crews continued to work to strengthen holding lines. The Forest Service says fire activity included group tree torching. Aircraft are working the fire to prevent more intense crown and running fire behavior, according to the update.
The report says firefighters continue to analyze contingency planning around the Moose Lake area, planning that wider perimeter area around the fire.
Update: Friday, September 13, 2024
On Friday, Forest Services reported that the acreage burned increased on the southeast perimeter of the fire zone, due to focusing on strengthening the fire’s edge. The fire has burned 17 acres and is zero percent contained. Firefighters work to strengthen fire holding lines while using natural fire breaks including wetlands when possible.
Multiple closures are in place for the region within the BWCA. We have a list available here.
Forest Service officials say elevated buring conditions continue this weekend with increasing winds. According to Friday’s report, “Resources will continue to strengthen containment lines with a variety of tools including utilizing pumps and hose lays, using natural features, and using backfiring through hand ignition when needed to reduce spotting potential near the perimeter or containment line. Additionally, firefighters will be looking at contingency planning around the Moose Lake area today to analyze and plan that wider perimeter area around the fire.”
Update: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Humidity and light winds helped stall a fire burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. According to the Superior National Forest, the fire was spotted around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday on an island in Wood Lake in Fall Lake Township. Wood Lake is located north of County Road 18.
For safety, the BWCAW Entry Point #26 permit-holders have been contacted as conditions are changing. The public has been asked to stay clear of the area and seek alternative routes.
Superior National Forest officials says the fire has burned approximately 3-5 acres of timber with a heavy, dead balsam fir component. Officials observed from the air that the fire spotted off the island to a ridgetop and showed active fire behavior.
Authorities believe that they fire may have been started by someone on the island, however the official fire investigation hasn’t begun yet.
On Wednesday, officials say the fire was holding in place due to good overnight relative humidity levels and light winds. With above average temperatures and drought conditions, the Superior National Forest officials will monitor the fire. Winds are expected to increase as well. Crews are using aircraft to fight the fire. because the dense forest is making it difficult for firefighters to find access on the ground.
NF officials say additional aircraft has been ordered to assist, but with all the wildfires, firefighting suppression resources are limited.