From Superior National Forest - September 17, 2021

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS           

SIZE:  26,797 acres       CONTAINMENT:  80%          PERSONNEL:  196

ANNOUCEMENT: Superior National Forest is lifting fire restrictions across National Forest System lands, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness management area. Although campfires, charcoal grills and stoves are allowed, please practice caution by keeping fires small, not tall and ensuring your fire is out cold to the touch before leaving it unattended. Drown, stir, touch and repeat until the fire is completely extinguished. Some fire restrictions remain place for state and private lands, check MN DNR Wildland Fire Information for details.

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: Road rehabilitation continued with grading to return to appropriate road standards. Crews patrolled areas along Highway 2 and found little heat in that division. In contrast, firefighters cooled areas of smoldering heat found around tree roots on the eastern edge of the fire. Crews removed merchantable wood along Highway 2 in order to fully utilize it. Work continued to remove snags and hazard trees around McDougal Lake -- the objective is to reduce the number of hazardous, fire-damaged trees in this area so landowners can return. 

TODAY: Fire crews will watch for hazard trees along Highways 1 and 2 and remove; high winds and rain can make fire-killed trees even more hazardous as roots lose their hold on the soil. Crews continue to repair control line by pulling berms of topsoil along the sides of the control line back onto the line. Firefighters will be removing hose from the fire perimeter where heat has been eliminated. A heat-detecting, infra-red flight is scheduled for today, weather permitting.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will be mostly sunny with high temperatures in the low 60s. Relative humidity will be between 35-47 %. Wind is from the west from 4-9 mph, increasing to 6-15 mph in the late morning and afternoon with gusts up to 24 mph. No rainfall is expected this weekend as high pressure moves across the area. Looking ahead, a prolonged wet period may be possible for the early half of next week.

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. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property on Highway 1, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.  

Evacuation orders remain in place for the McDougal Lake area.

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.

• National Forest System lands, roads and recreation areas are closed in the area of the Greenwood Fire to protect public health and safety. The closure area extends across the Kawishiwi, Laurentian, and Tofte Ranger Districts and includes several Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points. To see the full Forest order and other Forest closures, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

Public Information Line: 218-499-9441     

Email: [email protected]     

For all other fires on the Superior National Forest: 218-214-7844    

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