SIZE:    26,797 acres      CONTAINMENT: 80%     PERSONNEL: 120

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 continues to remain unchanged since earlier updates. Fire crews patrolled the fire perimeter watching for smoke and hot spots. On Friday, several dozen smoldering piles were found well interior from the control lines. Those piles were extinguished, and none have been found since then. Heavy equipment and hand crews worked to repair fire lines and access routes along secured containment lines on several parts of the fire.

PLANNED ACTIONS: Firefighters will patrol parts of the fire perimeter looking for pockets of heat. Any heat found will be extinguished, cooled down and secured. Several miles of containment lines along the fire perimeter have been cold and secure for numerous days. In those locations crews and equipment will be used to rehabilitate and repair the containment lines. Depending on the access routes both hand crews and equipment will be used to make the repairs. Repair work is done to restore the impacted area to its natural state as much as possible following the impacts created by fire suppression work. Hazard tree removal along County Road 2 is expected to be completed today. The number of personnel and equipment on the fire will continue to fluctuate as work is completed and based on the amount of work remaining.

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: The Forest Service has a closure in place for the Greenwood Fire. All forest lands and roads in the closure area are closed until further notice.

• Closed areas: forest lands and roads south of Highway 1 near the Greenwood Fire perimeter including the Sand Lake Recreation Area and rustic campground, a portion of the Jackpot Trail loop, 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.

The Greenwood Fire Fact Sheet will be updated every other day until further notice.