Superior National Forest - John Ek and Whelp wildfires update - September 3, 2021

Sep 03, 2021 11:27AM ● By Editor

From the Superior National Forest - September 3, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please join fire managers for a public meeting Saturday, September 4, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at the Gunflint Trail Fire Department Hall #1 (Schaap Center), 7501 Gunflint Trail. This meeting is specific to the John Ek and Whelp Fires. Due to unreliable internet, we will record the meeting and post to Facebook thereafter; the meeting will not be on Facebook Live. All meeting attendees are asked to adhere to current CDC guidelines regarding the use of face masks, social distancing, and handwashing.

JOHN EK FIRE (1,350 acres, 0% contained): Along the east and west sides of the fire, crews were flown in to improve portages and set up sprinkler systems. Firefighters will be widening portages to serve as a contingency line on the north side of the fire from Ogishkemuncie Lake to Tuscarora Lake. Structure protection crews are 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. Today, crews will begin constructing contingency line on the south side of the fire from Phoebe Lake to Sawbill Campground. Fire managers continue to use air resources to monitor the fire.

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: A storm system and cold front continues to move through the Great Lakes region today with a chance of rain for the fire area. Winds today will be out of the southeast at 6-10 mph with 15-20 mph gusts. Minimum relative humidity will range from 58 to 63%. Clouds and scattered showers will keep temperatures cooler today and will continue to help moderate fire behavior

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: As of 8:00 a.m. on September 2, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office 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 currently no mandatory evacuations in Cook County. 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 Gunflint Trail are closed due to fires in the vicinity. 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 and South Lake EP #58 are in the closure area.

Most of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closure has been lifted, with the 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, Kekekabic 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.
Dueto 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. 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, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for areas within state jurisdiction, Cook and Lake counties, and northern St. Louis County.

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