JOHN EK FIRE (1,350 acres, 0% contained): Crews were flown into the fire to improve portages and set up sprinkler systems on the east and west sides of the fire. Firefighters will be widening portages to serve as a contingency line on the north side of the fire from Ogishkemuncie Lake to Tuscarora Lake. A structure protection group is working on the south side of Gunflint trail from Poplar Lake to Round Lake and Tuscarora Lodge.

WHELP FIRE (50 acres, 0% contained): The Whelp Fire is five miles northwest of Sawbill Lake. Fire managers continue to use air resources to monitor the fire and are assessing contingency line opportunities on the south side of the fire. They are also looking for opportunities to go direct. 

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR:  An incoming weather disturbance will bring abundant cloud cover to the region today, along with increasing chances for measurable rainfall tonight through Friday morning. Winds today will increase out of the southeast at 6-9 mph with 14-19 mph gusts. Minimum relative humidity will range from the mid-40’s to mid-50’s, with higher humidity’s expected for Friday. Clouds and scattered showers will keep temperatures cooler the next two days. 

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS:  As of 8:00 a.m. on September 2, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has changed the evacuation status of the Upper Gunflint Trail, from the south side of Loon Lake west to the end of the Gunflint trail, back to “Ready” status. There are no mandatory evacuations in Cook County currently. However, the public should continue to monitor the status of the fires as conditions can change quickly. Homeowners in Cook County can sign up for the emergency alert system CodeRED at https://www.co.cook.mn.us/index.php/2016-04-14-15-58-03. 

CLOSURES:

• Superior National Forest lands and roads along the upper portion of the Gunflint Trail are closed due to fires in the vicinity and limited firefighting resources. The closure includes all forest lands and roads along Cook County 12/Gunflint Trail beginning at the Cook County 92 intersection to the end of the Gunflint Trail. Trails End and Iron Lake campgrounds are in the closure area. 
• Most of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closure has been lifted, with exception of the John Ek/Whelp fire closures and entry points associated with the Greenwood Fire and Gunflint Trail Closure. John Ek/Whelp closure area includes the following entry points: Seagull Lake Entry Point #54/#54A/L, Saganaga Lake Entry Point #55/#55A/J, Missing Link Lake EP #51, Brant Lake Entry Point #52, Cross Bay Lake Entry Point #50, Kekakbic Trail Entry Point #56 and #74, Skipper and Portage Lakes Entry Point #49, Kawishiwi Lake Entry Point #37, ​Magnetic Lake EP #57, Larch Creek EP #80. Due to upper Gunflint Trail closure South Lake EP #58 is closed. Due to the Greenwood Fire closure, the following are closed: Island River EP #34, Isabella Lake EP #35, Bog Lake EP #67, Little Isabella River #75, Snake River EP #84, Pow Wow Trail EP #86, and Hog Creek #36.
• Across Superior National Forest, there are several closure orders in place to protect public health and safety due to wildfires.  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 areas.

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. See Superior National Forest  Fire Restrictions Order and our Campfire Restrictions FAQ for more information.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.

Public Information Line: 218-209-2633 | Email: [email protected]

John Ek Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7808/  

Whelp Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7806/

Greenwood Fire Information:  218-499-9441 | All other fires on the Superior National Forest: 218-214-7844

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