PUBLIC MEETING:  A public meeting will be held Thursday night at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center auditorium at 6282 Cranberry, Rd, Finland, MN 55603 at 6:00 pm.  The Forest Service will discuss the Forest closure, the Sheriff will discuss evacuations and the Incident Commander will provide a fire update. This meeting will be presented in person as well as on the Superior N.F. Facebook Page.    

 

Yesterday the fire grew an additional 1,000 acres on the west side, south of Stone Lake.  Southeast winds pushed a portion of the fire west then north.  Aircraft, heavy equipment, and structure protection crews increased suppression efforts to protect structures and hold the fire east of Highway Two.  Hand crews continued to build fireline on the south end of the fire to create an anchor at its base.  Structure protection continued in the McDougal and Stony River areas.  

 

Today additional hand crews, engines, and equipment will assist in fire suppression along the east side of the Highway Two corridor.  Aircraft will continue dropping water as well as retardant to slow fire spread to the west and north.  Hand crews and equipment will continue to secure line along the southern portion of the fire.  Additional crews arrived today to scout locations to access the eastern portion of the fire.  Structure protection crews will assess new structures threatened by the fire and continue implementing structure protection measures within the McDougal and Stony Run areas.  Crews will assess locations for fuel breaks along Highway 1 on the northern side of the fire.  There are 145 fire personnel with 25 engines, 2 dozers, 3 tenders, and 3 aircraft assigned to the incident in addition to engines and equipment from cooperators and partners.  

 

 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 and estimated to be around 4,000 acres. Crews are responding with full suppression using ground resources and aircraft. The fire is threatening cabins, homes, and recreational sites. The cause of the fire is lightning.  

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVOIR: Warm weather continues through Friday. Today’s temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees. Humidity is expected to be 35% with winds out of the south.  Active fire behavior is expected again today.       

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: Lake County Sheriff’s office evacuation orders are in effect for McDougal Lake, Sand Lake, the Highway 2 corridor, and just north of Highway 1. For information regarding evacuations contact Lake County Emergency Management at 773-844-6449. You can sign up for emergency text alerts and calls from Lake County here:  https://www.co.lake.mn.us/emergency-management/.  There is a Red Cross shelter at the Finland Community Center for those who have been evacuated. If you need shelter, you can contact the shelter manager at 425-677-5776.  

CLOSURES:  

FIRE INFORMATION:  For Greenwood Fire information, visit Inciweb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7805/  or call 218-499-9441. For all other fires on the Superior National Forest, please call 218-214-7844.  

AIR QUALITY: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert effective until 3 p.m. on Friday, August 20, for the inland portion of Minnesota’s Lake County. For other areas go to: Air Quality Index webpage.  

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are in place for the Superior National Forest and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for areas within state jurisdiction Cook and Lake Counties and northern St. Louis County.  

Superior National Forest:  Fire Restrictions Order and our Campfire RestrictionsSee our FAQ for more information.   

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:  MN DNR Wildland Fire Information