Photo: USFS

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 10, 2025

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is planning a series of prescribed burns in the coming weeks across the Gunflint and Tofte Ranger Districts of the Superior National Forest (SNF). These burns, which could begin as early as Thursday, September 11, 2025, are part of a plan to reduce hazardous fuels that can contribute to the rapid spread of wildfires. The piles are made from vegetation debris left after timber management projects or from cutting fuels near communities, recreation areas, and infrastructure. The project aims to complete burns on a total of 1,635 acres by the end of December, according to the USFS. 

Mike Crook, East Zone AFMO (Fuels) for the USFS, said the burns will focus on vegetation debris piles. The fire staff plans to start with more remote locations and move closer to easily accessible areas as the fall progresses. Hand piles in the mid-Gunflint Trail and Isabella areas aren't expected to be burned until later in the fall, while those near East Bearskin are planned to be burned around "the end of October and into November."

 Image: USFS

The units scheduled for burning in the Tofte Ranger District (Township (T), Range (R), Section (S)), and acreage include: 

• Eddy 1, 2, 7, 10, 11, 14 & 17–T61N, R9W, Sec  15, 16, 21 & 22 (171 acres)  

• Fry 4 & 5–T60N, R4W, Sec8, 9, 15 & 15 (28  acres) 

• Little Isabella Campground–T60N, R9W, Sec25  (14 acres) 

• Isabella Compound–T59N, R8W, Sec5 (5 acres) • Harriet Pit–T60N, R6W, Sec29 (40 acres) • Crooked Pit–T59N, R6W, Sec10 (40 acres) • Caribou Pit–T59N, R3W, Sec3 (40 acres) • Tofte Compound–59N, 4W, Sec21 (5 acres) • Starbuck 7, 8 & 10–T60N, R8-9W, Sec3, 8, &  36 (79 acres)  

• Slither 1, 5, 6, & 8-10–T58N, R8&9W, Sec1,  13-14, and 31 (99 acres) 

• Cowboy 2, 4 & 6–T59-60N, R7W, Sec4&33 (26 acres) 

• Sofa 6–T61N, R6W, Sec19 (17 acres)  

 Image: USFS

The units scheduled for burning in the Gunflint Ranger District (Township (T), Range (R), Section (S)), and acreage include: 

• Reindeer 2 –T61N, R2W, S32 (57 acres) 

• Heavyweight 1-4–T60N-61N, R2W, Sec11-14,  

21 & 31 (370 acres) 

• Hound 3–T61N, R1W, Sec10 (54 acres) 

• Nova 4–T60N, R2E, Sec7 (39 acres) 

• Atlas–T63N, R1E, Sec15 (6 acres) 

• Rescue 7, 8, 10 & 11–T64N, R1E, Sec20,21, &  

27 (193 acres) 

• East Bearskin 1 & 2–T64N, R1W, Sec12 (130  acres) 

• Squint–T64N, R1W, Sec9 (118 acres) • Hungry Jack–T65N, R1W, Sec34 (152 acres) • Flour–T64N, R1W, Sec 1,2, & 11 (138 acres) • Caribou–T65N, R1W, Sec33 (68 acres)  • Seagull Guard Station–T65N, R4W, Sec9 (10  acres) 

• Airport–T62N, R1W, Sec23 (40 acres) • Menogyn–T65N, R1W, Sec34 (12 acres) • Cross River–T65N, R4W, Sec26 (40 acres) • Greenwood–T61N, R2W, Sec14 (40 acres)  • East Bearskin–T64N, R1W, Sec 11 (40 acres) • Pike Lake–T61N, R2W, Sec14 (40 acres)

• Ninemile 3&4–T59N, R6W, Sec22 (84 acres) • Kosmo 1, 3, 4, 6-10, 12-17–T59N & 60N, R5W,  Sec3, 9, 21, 23-24, 26-27 & 33 (645 acres)  • Tail 3, 4 & 5–T61N, R4&5W, Sec19, 24 & 32  (36 acres)  

• Frisk 6, 7, 10 & 12–T60N, R4W, Sec8-9 & 15- 16 (221 acres) 

• Breezy 2–T60N, R3W, Sec18 (8 acres) • Babble 12 & 15–T61N, R3W, Sec2 (77 acres)

Crook shared that all prescribed burns are dependent on specific weather and environmental conditions to ensure they are conducted safely and meet objectives. The USFS will only proceed when conditions are suitable, specifically looking for "cooler, damper conditions such that the spread and/or 'creep' is minimal, but also just dry enough that the piles consume." The fire staff consults with the National Weather Service in Duluth daily before beginning any burns. 

Signs will be posted along roadways and near burn areas accessible by ATV or foot to alert the public. Short-duration smoke impacts are expected during ignitions in some areas, and residual smoke may linger for a few days after. Firefighters will be on-site during ignitions and will continue to patrol the burn areas. Crook does not expect any closures for these prescribed burn units. 

If community members or visitors see smoke or fire in an area they believe shouldn't have it, they should call the Forest Service. The Gunflint Office can be reached at 218-387-1750, and the Tofte Office at 218-663-8060. Additional information is also available on the Superior National Forest website and via the Prescribed Fire Information line at 218-663-4300.