Photo: Superior National Forest 

From the Superior National Forest - August 26, 2021 - 11AM

Community Meeting Today at 6 p.m. at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, 6282 Cranberry Rd, Finland, MN. 

Yesterday: Taking advantage of northwest winds, crews initiated defensive firing operations along Hwy 1 and the Jackpot Lake Road to better secure fire boundaries.  Fuels were reduced around cabins and other structures to protect them.  A firing operation was also initiated along Hwy 2 at the southwest end of the fire.  Heavy machinery was used construct a fire line along the part of the fire to the west of Hwy 2 (northwest).  The fire was active in the southern portion. It is now estimated as 25,991 acres.   

Today and Tonight:  Today’s priority is to hold and improve after yesterday’s firing operations, with the support of air resources, engines, bulldozers and other equipment, to reduce the burnable natural fuels near homes or near the edge of the fire.  Crews will strengthen containment lines and continue building firelines where feasible.  A total of 476 personnel are working on the fire, including cooperators and contractors. A new location for the Incident Command Post is being evaluated.  

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Weather today will be cooler with mostly cloudy skies and higher relative humidity.  

SUMMARY:  Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, around 3 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District.  Generally, the fire is between Greenwood Lake and the intersections of Highways 1 and 2.  The communities of Ely, Babbitt, Finland, Toimi-Brimson and along the North Shore are not threatened by this fire.  The objective of fire management is full suppression using all available resources.  The fire continues to threaten cabins, homes, and recreational sites.  Twelve primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed August 23.  Owners have been contacted by the Sheriff. 

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS:  Lake County Sheriff’s office evacuation orders are in effect for McDougal Lake, Sand Lake, the Highway 2 corridor, and north of Highway 1 in the vicinity of East and West Chub lakes, Jackpot, Slate Lake and the Mitawan Lake Road area.  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/.  The Red Cross Shelter moved from Finland to the Municipal Center in Babbitt for those who have been evacuated.  If you have any questions, contact the shelter manager at (425-677-5776). 

CLOSURES: 

• Hwy 2 is closed from Forest Hwy 11 to Hwy 1. Hwy 1 is closed from New Tomahawk Rd to Lankinen Rd.  

• A Forest Service closure order is in place to protect public health and safety due to the Greenwood Fire.  It extends across areas within the Kawishiwi, Laurentian, and Tofte Ranger Districts.  To see the full Forest order and other alerts go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior. 

• A Temporary Flight Restriction for aircraft is in place over the fire area.

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 Restrictions See our FAQ for more information.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information