Pagami Creek Fire Update

The Pagami Creek Fire has now burned more than 100,000 acres and 156 square miles of forest across Lake County and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

This fire is the largest forest fire in Minnesota since the 1918 Cloquet-Moose Lake fire. It is larger than the Ham Lake Fire in 2007 which burned 38,000 acres in Cook County and another 38,000 in Ontario. That blaze destroyed 163 buildings.

The fire is approaching the Lake and Cook county border from the west. Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk told a group gathered in Grand Marais Tuesday night that plans are in place if the fire continues to move east.  A Type Two Incident Management Team is located at the Cook County Community Center to assist with any fire situations that could arise within the county. Members of the team were involved in last night’s meeting.

Another public meeting was set for 11 a.m. this morning at the Poplar Lake fire hall on the Gunflint Trail.  There will also be a meeting Wednesday evening at the Schroeder Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.

Winds from the northwest today are expected to continue to push the fire south and east, generally toward Lake County Road 7, but according to USFS Public Information Officer Lisa Radosevich-Craig, the fire is not expected to spread significantly.  "The fire growth is not expected to be much today," said Radosevich-Craig on Wednesday morning, September 14. "They're saying maybe a quarter of a mile of growth and that's more on the south, southeast side.  So this is where the cooler temperatures really are helping."

Isabella residents have been told to prepare for possible evacuation. So far, 36 homes and businesses have been evacuated along County Road 7 just to the north of Isabella.  A shelter for evacuees has been set up at the Finland Community Center.  Another 240 structures are under stand-by evacuation orders.

Much of the eastern BWCAW has been closed, with the only open access points north and west of Ely and northeast of the Gunflint Trail. Many forest roads have also been closed.

Inter-agency fire management team spokesman Doug Anderson says the colder temperatures should help. He said fires spread less easily when temperatures are in the 50s. While fire officials were surprised when the 100,000-acre figure was announced, Anderson said they are more optimistic about the situation.

Gov. Mark Dayton has directed the Minnesota National Guard to assist in firefighting efforts. Four Blackhawk helicopters were sent to support firefighters with water drops where needed. The Duluth-based 148th fighter unit will provide refueling for the St. Paul-based helicopters.

The Duluth News Tribune says the Blackhawks join the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ CL-215 water bombers along with smaller aircraft and helicopters fighting the fire for the past week. A giant water-dropping helicopter also has been ordered along with additional ground crews.

The Canadian province of Manitoba also is sending two water-bombing airplanes to help.

Nearly 200 wildland firefighters were either on the fire line or on the way, with crews using canoes to portage to fire lines or flying in on Forest Service float planes. A Type One Incident Management Team is arriving at the command post and is expected to take over command of the operations by tomorrow.

Scattered rain and thunderstorms moved across Minnesota’s Arrowhead on yesterday afternoon. Reports indicate the moisture may have helped slow the fire. While lower temperatures will help, there’s no major rainfall in the forecast.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an advisory for people who live downwind, from Silver Bay through Grand Marais to Grand Portage, to limit their outdoor activities to avoid health issues from smoke and ash.

Smoke from the Pagami Creek fire was easily detected in Duluth and the Twin Cities last week. Yesterday, WTIP got reports that smoke and hazy was reported throughout eastern Wisconsin and as far south as Chicago.

A fire ban remains in effect for the BWCAW during the day, with campfires allowed only from 6 p.m to midnight, and only in approved fire grates and fire rings.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has imposed a fire ban in all areas of northern Minnesota.  The temporary burning restrictions mean the state will not give out burning permits for burning brush or yard waste until conditions improve. Small campfires in developed campfire pits or structures are allowed.