GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS SIZE: 

26,797 acres CONTAINMENT: 67% PERSONNEL: 309 ANNOUNCEMENT: 

The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 will turn over command of the Greenwood Fire to the Type 3 Minnesota Incident Management Team C on Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.

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 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. The Wildland Fire Module inserted Saturday southeast of Greenwood Lake continued mopping up any hot spots and securing that edge. Southeast of McDougal Lake, firefighters are working 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 continue pulling 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 remains and 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: Weather will be pleasant; however, a storm system will move through Monday night into Tuesday morning with a chance of showers. High temperatures will be in the upper 60’s, with minimum relative humidity near 46%. 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. See the Superior National Forest Fire Restrictions Order and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MN DNR Wildland Fire Information for more information.