Photo: Maxim Tajer on Unsplash.com

From the Superior National Forest - October 17, 2024

Here is an update from the Superior National Forest on all current active wildfires in the area. Additional fire updates will only be made if significant fire activity occurs.

Related: Near critical fire conditions for Cook and Lake Counties, rest of Minnesota under Red Flag Warning for extreme fire risk

Bogus Lake Fire Information

The Bogus Lake Fire received 0.75” of rain with the weekend’s weather system. The fire remains in contained status with the entire perimeter mopped up and holding. Firefighters continue to work the fire to achieve control status, while monitoring fire behavior and safety hazards from the anticipated higher winds and lower relative humidities this week. On October 8, 2024, the Bogus Lake Fire was detected north of Bogus Lake. Both the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Superior NF firefighting resources responded to the fire. The fire remains at 53 acres. See the fire’s Inciweb page for more information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-bogus-lake-fire

Shell Lake Fire Information

The Shell Lake Fire received rain from the past weekend’s weather system that moved through the Arrowhead area of MN. Fire managers anticipate minimal fire behavior. Aircraft continue to monitor the fire, and firefighters may staff the fire on high potential fire days. Primary concerns remain at safety for firefighters due to working in remote locations, water and air temperatures dropping, and fire weakened trees or snags. The Shell Lake Fire was detected on October 7, 2024, on the eastern end of Shell Lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. An emergency closure order 09-09-25-02 remains in effect for the area. The fire is 0.75 acres and is burning in timber with a mixed boreal forest component. See the fire’s Inciweb page for more information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-shell-lake-fire

Wood Lake Fire Information

The Wood Lake Fire received similar rain from the past weekend’s weather system that moved through the Arrowhead area of MN. Fire activity is minimal. Aircraft continue to monitor the fire, and firefighters may staff the fire on high potential fire days. Primary concerns remain at safety for firefighters due to working in remote locations, water and air temperatures dropping, and fire weakened trees or snags. The Wood Lake Fire was detected on September 10, 2024, on an island of Wood Lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. An emergency closure order 09-09-24-07 remains in effect for the area. The fire is 45 acres and 50% contained. An See the fire’s Inciweb page for more information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-wood-lake-fire

Fire Restriction Information

Emergency Forest Order 09-09-25-01 remains in effect for the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The order restricts the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire within the Superior National Forest Boundary which includes northern portions of Cook, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. The MN DNR also has fire restrictions in effect for State and Private land. Check the statewide fire danger and burning restriction webpage for more information. Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa similarly have fire restrictions.

Weather

Sunny and windy weather will occur across the Superior National Forest this week with high temperatures reaching the 60s and winds up to 30 mph. There is a chance of showers Friday night; otherwise, this week will bring lower relative humidities, winds, and warmer temperatures. Overnight cold temperatures with frost can cold cure the fine fuels on the ground. Leaf fall also contributes to available fuels on the ground for any fire to consume. The extended forecast calls for above normal temperatures and normal precipitation for northern MN. Overall, fall weather brings shorter burn windows with less hours of daylight.

Air Quality Forecast and Other

GOOD for the week-https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast

The National Preparedness Level remains at 5.

Superior National Forest Fire Management website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/fire