Photo: Superior National Forest

From the Superior National Forest - September 24, 2021

GREENWOOD LAKE FIRE FACTS

SIZE: 26,797 acres       CONTAINMENT: 80%      PERSONNEL: 125

SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, at about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately 10 miles southwest of Isabella. Maximum containment will peak at 80-81 percent, as wetland areas prevent crew and equipment from building containment lines in those areas.

CURRENT STATUS: The fire size has not changed since the last update. On several parts of the fire, heavy equipment and crews worked to repair fire lines and access routes along secured containment lines. Firefighters patrolled the fire perimeter watching for smoke and looking for pockets of heat. Crews conducted mop up work as hot spots were discovered during monitoring and patrols along the fire lines.

PLANNED ACTIONS: Fire crews will monitor and patrol several sections of fire line watching for hot spots or pockets of heat. Any heat found along the fire perimeter will be extinguished, cooled down and secured. The repair and rehabilitation of containment lines that have been secure for several days will occur along several parts of the fire perimeter. Hand crews and heavy equipment are both being used based on the ability to access different areas. Repair and rehabilitation work is done to restore the area to its natural state as much as possible following the impacts created by fire suppression activities.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS:

For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property within the fire closure area, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.

CLOSURES: Effective September 21, the Forest Service reduced the size of the Greenwood Fire closure to forest lands and roads south of Highway 1. Here is a summary of what the revised closure means for visitors:

• Open areas: forest lands and roads north of Highway 1 including Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry points - Island River, Isabella Lake, Bog Lake, Little Isabella River, Snake River, Hog Creek, and Pow Wow Trail.

• Closed areas: forest lands and roads south of Highway 1 including the Sand Lake Recreation Area and rustic campground, McDougal Lake area and all associated recreation areas and the Stony River Observation Point. Little Isabella Campground will also remain closed due to bear issues and rehabilitation.

For more information and to see a map of this public safety closure, visit the Forest’s alerts and warnings webpage.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: The Superior National Forest and the Minnesota DNR have lifted all fire restrictions. Remember fires can start easily in dry grass and leaves in fall. Practice caution and ensure your fire is dead out before leaving it unattended.