Firefighters begin mopping up Ski Trail Fire as Wood Lake wildfire grows to 17 acres near Ely, MN
Sep 13, 2024 06:36PM ● By Content Editor
Crews began mopping up the area of the Ski Trail Fire on the morning of September 13. Photo: USFS.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 13, 2024
Two wildfires near Ely, Minnesota, have continued to burn throughout the day. One fire, named the Ski Trail Fire, was reported on Thursday, September 12, and is located on the north arm of Burntside Lake, approximately three miles northwest of downtown Ely. Around 10:45 am this morning, the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) reported that fire crews had begun mop-up* work, with the fire less than an acre in size (down from 3-5 acres originally reported).
The other fire, called the Wood Lake fire, grew to 17 acres along the SE perimeter with 0% containment. Forest Service Officials said that the increase in size was due to "firing operations aimed at strengthening the fire’s edge." Firefighters continue to use natural barriers, such as wetlands, for suppression while air crews are working on cooling the fire and assisting with suppression methods.
Fire crews continue to battle against warm temperatures and light-to-moderate winds, with little to no precipitation. Planned efforts include strengthening containment lines and using backfiring through hand ignition "when needed to reduce spotting potential near the perimeter or containment line." According to the US Forest Service, firefighters are also considering contingency plans, such as analyzing the Moose Lake area, which could serve as a wider perimeter area around the fire.
The Wood Lake fire is located approximately 16 miles northeast of Ely. The fire is thought to have been human-caused and is currently under investigation. Multiple entry points and other surrounding areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have been closed under an emergency closure issued by Forest Superior Visory Tom Hall.
*According to the USFS, "mopping-up describes the hard physical labor process of extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines down to the mineral soil, felling fire damaged trees, and cooling ash pits to make a fireline less likely to escape or to reduce residual smoke."
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 13, 2024
Two wildfires near Ely, Minnesota, have continued to burn throughout the day. One fire, named the Ski Trail Fire, was reported on Thursday, September 12, and is located on the north arm of Burntside Lake, approximately three miles northwest of downtown Ely. Around 10:45 am this morning, the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) reported that fire crews had begun mop-up* work, with the fire less than an acre in size (down from 3-5 acres originally reported).
The other fire, called the Wood Lake fire, grew to 17 acres along the SE perimeter with 0% containment. Forest Service Officials said that the increase in size was due to "firing operations aimed at strengthening the fire’s edge." Firefighters continue to use natural barriers, such as wetlands, for suppression while air crews are working on cooling the fire and assisting with suppression methods.
Fire crews continue to battle against warm temperatures and light-to-moderate winds, with little to no precipitation. Planned efforts include strengthening containment lines and using backfiring through hand ignition "when needed to reduce spotting potential near the perimeter or containment line." According to the US Forest Service, firefighters are also considering contingency plans, such as analyzing the Moose Lake area, which could serve as a wider perimeter area around the fire.
The Wood Lake fire is located approximately 16 miles northeast of Ely. The fire is thought to have been human-caused and is currently under investigation. Multiple entry points and other surrounding areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have been closed under an emergency closure issued by Forest Superior Visory Tom Hall.
*According to the USFS, "mopping-up describes the hard physical labor process of extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines down to the mineral soil, felling fire damaged trees, and cooling ash pits to make a fireline less likely to escape or to reduce residual smoke."