A Marsh Master carries a tank of water and its own hose reels. Fire fighters are lighting a tactical burn in the vicinity of the McDougal Lake Area. Photo: Superior National Forest 

From Superior National Forest - August 29, 2021

YESTERDAY:  Hand crews and heavy equipment operators took advantage of cool temperatures, high humidity, and light rain to improve firelines on the west and north perimeters of the Greenwood Fire.  Crews have begun to improve the Stony River Grade Road which will serve as the primary eastern containment line of the fire.  Shaded fuel break construction continued eastward along Highway 1.  Structure protection crews established hose lays, installed sprinklers and water-tanks at residences near Isabella.  Fire size remained at 25,991 acres and 14% containment.  The John Ek and Whelp Fires, in the BWCA Wilderness, remain at 1,563 acres and 50 acres, respectively, with no containment. 

TODAY AND TONIGHT:  Today’s priorities are to continue mop-up, improve, hold and monitor containment lines, and remove hazard trees along roads.  Work to improve containment lines will continue along Hwy 1 and along the Stony River Grade Road.  This afternoon, weather and fuel conditions will be assessed for a potential defensive firing operation along the Stony River Grade Road in the coming days.  A total of 472 personnel are working on the fire.  

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Lingering rain and clouds will continue throughout the morning.  Through the afternoon, a high-pressure system will bring lower humidity as well as westerly winds with the potential for strong gusts. 

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 areas along the North Shore are not threatened by this fire.  The objective of fire management on the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources.  The fire continues to threaten cabins, homes, and recreational sites.  Fourteen primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23.   

 

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS:  As of the morning of August 28, evacuation orders in the Slate Lake area have been lifted.  This includes the area from Chub Lake to the New Tomahawk Road.  Properties in this area can only be accessed from the New Tomahawk Road, coming from Babbitt, or Hwy 1 approaching from Ely.  The Slate Lake Area cannot be accessed from Hwy 2.  Evacuation orders are still in effect for McDougal Lake, the Highway 2 corridor, and the Mitawan Lake Road area.  For further information, contact Lake County Emergency Management at 773-844-6449.  You can sign up for emergency text alerts and calls from Lake County at: 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.  

AIR QUALITY: Air quality alerts can be found at:  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 Restrictions See our FAQfor more information.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.   

For additional information please contact the Greenwood Fire public information line: (218) 499-9441 or email [email protected].