From Superior National Forest - September 12, 2021

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS 

SIZE: 26,797 acres CONTAINMENT: 67% PERSONNEL: 356

ANNOUNCEMENT: A community meeting will be held this evening, Sunday September 12, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. It will be live streamed on the Superior National Forest Facebook page. In-person attendees are requested to adhere to current CDC COVID-19 guidelines regarding the use of masks, social distancing and handwashing.

SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately ten miles southwest of Isabella. 14 primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23. The objective of fire management for the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources.

YESTERDAY: Heavy equipment operators made good progress along Highway 1 using chippers, soft tracked excavators and logging forwarders. Some heat was found in the northeast corner of the fire and crews worked to secure that area. Crews patrolled and monitored along the Highway 2 corridor. A Wildland Fire Module, consisting of 9 firefighters, was inserted by boat into the fire area southeast of Greenwood Lake. That area is difficult to access and these firefighters will remain there for several days, mopping up any hot spots and securing that edge. Southeast of McDougal Lake, firefighters are using hoses to extinguish any pockets of heat. Finally, on the northeast corner, firefighters supported by the J-5 tracked vehicles further secured the line there.

TODAY: The heavy equipment task force will be working along Highway 1, chipping and placing larger logs and brush into burn piles. Firefighters will be pulling out 3 miles of hose from the northwest corner of the fire. Crews will be patrolling and mopping up along the Highway 2 corridor and south to Greenwood Lake. On the fire’s edge southeast of Greenwood Lake, the Wildland Fire Module will be working to find and extinguish hot spots. The eastern fire perimeter will be further secured and firefighters will be supported by the J-5 tracked vehicles. Crews using heavy equipment will continue their work around Lake McDougal, removing hazard trees and making it safe for property owners to return to their homes when the work is complete.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: A cooler high pressure will quickly move through the Great Lakes today with a slight increase in humidity as winds remain light. High temperatures will be in the upper 60’s, with minimum relative humidity near 42%. Winds will be NW at 5 mph with occasional gusts to 14 mph. Fire behavior will be minimal creeping and smoldering, with no growth expected.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic. Be alert for firefighters and fire equipment in the area and observe posted speed limits. Evacuation orders remain in place for the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property on Highway 1, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.

CLOSURES:

• Highway 1 is closed from the Highway 1 and Highway 2 intersection to Lankinen Road and only property owners with passes issued by the Sheriff’s Office may travel along the highway. Highway 2 is open to all traffic.

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

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are being evaluated daily and are currently 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 for more information. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.