SUMMARY: 

The Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021 around 3 pm on the Laurentian  Ranger District. The fire is near Greenwood Lake and approximately 15 miles southwest of Isabella, MN.  The current size is unknown and estimated to be at least one thousand acres. Today, the fire is expected to  continue spreading northward due to southerly winds. Yesterday, the fire was extremely active and was spotting and crowning, and grew rapidly due to high gusts of winds and dry conditions. 

Aircraft flew the area this morning to get a better estimate on the footprint. The cause of the fire is  currently under investigation. Fire crews are suppressing the fire on the ground and from the air.  

RESOURCES: 

The Forest Service and Lake County are currently in unified command responding to the  Greenwood Fire. The Forest has ordered a Type 2 Incident Management Team to support the response to  this fire and the team will likely arrive on site sometime tomorrow.  

WEATHER: 

Expect to see near critical fire weather this afternoon and evening across Minnesota. Temperatures in the Greenwood Fire area will be around 85 degrees with humidity levels will be roughly  around 35 percent and southerly winds from 5-15 mph with gusts of 20 to 25 mph. 

CLOSURES: 

Effective August 15, the McDougal Lake Recreation Area on the Tofte Ranger District is closed. This includes McDougal Lake Campground, McDougal Lake Boat Ramp, McDougal Lake Picnic  Area, McDougal Lake Trailhead and Trail. Today, the closure order is being expanded to include Little  Isabella Campground, Flat Horn/ Gegoka Ski Trails and Trailheads (Trail 71093 and 71093 Spur trails A  ,B ,C, D ,E, F, FA ,FB, G, GA ,H, I ,and J ), Lake Gegoka Boat Access, Stony River Observation Site,  Stony River Canoe Launch, Flat Horn Lake Picnic Area, Flat Horn Lake Boat Launch, Dragon Boat  Launch, Beetle Boat Launch, Grass Boat Launch, Two Deere Boat Launch, Little Wampus Boat Launch,  Sand Lake Boat Launch, Bearskin Lake Boat Launch, Surprise Lake Boat Launch, Grouse Lake Boat  launch, Shamrock Boat Launch, Chub Lake Boat Launch, Dunnigan Lake Boat Launch and Gypsy Lake  Boat Launch. This will be updated on the Superior National Forest alerts and notices page today. 

SAFETY EVACUATIONS: 

Today, the McDougal Lake area is under evacuation. Yesterday, the Forest  Service, Lake County and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources notified residents in the  McDougal Lake area to be prepared in case in evacuation was necessary. Lake County is the lead on  public safety and evacuations. There are reports of extensive ash and smoke along Highway 1. Please  exercise caution while driving. 

AIR QUALITY: 

Air quality is expected to to be good across the state today. For more information on  current air quality conditions in your area and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert  notifications by email, text message, phone, or the Minnesota Air mobile app, visit MPCA’s Air Quality  Index webpage.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: 

Due to continued long-term drought conditions and limited fire-fighting  resources, the Superior National Forest is not allowing campfires or charcoal fires within the Forest  boundary on National Forest lands, including the BWCAW. Propane devices with an on/off switch are  permitted, including lanterns, stoves, and firepits. Campfires or charcoal fires are NOT allowed at any  BWCAW campsites, backcountry campsites, or rustic campgrounds, even in designated fire rings or  grates or grills. Please see Fire Restrictions Order and our Campfire Restrictions. See our FAQ for more  information. 

The MN DNR activated additional burning restrictions for areas within state jurisdiction in Cook and  Lake counties, beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, August 10. Under the additional restrictions, all campfires  and recreational fires are banned and the use of welding devices and other torches is prohibited when in  proximity to combustible vegetation (unless special permission is granted). The Grand Portage Band of  Lake Superior Chippewa has also restricted burning on its lands.  

Under these additional restrictions, the campfire and recreational fire ban in Cook and Lake counties now  includes all public and private land. In the backcountry, and at campsites, only gas or propane camp  stoves are allowed. Gas and charcoal grills are allowed at occupied homes, cabins, and resorts. Charcoal  and gas fires must be in devices designed for grilling. Please see MN DNR Wildland Fire Information for  details.  

FIRE INFORMATION: 

For Greenwood Fire information, visit Inciweb.nwcg.gov or call 218-499- 9441. For information on closures, visit the Superior National Forest alerts and notices page. For all other  fires on the Superior National Forest, please call 218-214-7844.  

To see up to the date fire reports from other areas, follow this link to the Wildfire Information page on boreal.org.  https://www.boreal.org/pages/update-on-regional-wildfires