Water Dropping Aircraft To Be Used Today On Lizard Lake Fire

The following information has been received from the US Forest Service about the Lizard Lake Fire:

Lizard Lake Fire - Gunflint Ranger District

Situation Update – Monday, August 30, 2010

The weather Sunday was a mirror image of conditions on Saturday.  The winds were strong 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts to 25 miles per hour, temperatures were warm, and relative humidity was low.  Despite this, the fire perimeter (pictured) remained relatively the same.  The overall fire size increased about 6 acres and the total fire area is estimated at 51 acres.  The fire is very patchy with islands of unburned vegetation interspersed within the burn.  Large water dropping aircraft, CL215s worked the north and east perimeters of the fire again on Sunday and were very effective in containing the spread of the fire in those directions.  Weather conditions for Monday are expected to be similar as to what the fire has experienced over the past several days but the relative humidity is expected to be a little higher and there is an increasing chance of precipitation on Monday and Tuesday.  The fire did receive some moisture overnight about 0.17 inches, the relative humidity is about 97 percent and winds are light.

Water dropping aircraft will be used again on Monday to cool the northern and eastern perimeter of the fire in preparation for another day of hot, windy weather.  

Nature and Cause of Incident

Smoke was spotted on 8/26/10 by USFS fire personnel traveling on the Gunflint Trail.  The origin of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike from a thunderstorm 7 – 10 days ago.

Location – Size - Fuels

The fire is in the BWCAW approximately 1 ½ miles north of Long Island Lake; 1 mile south of Dawkins Lake.  The size is estimated at 45 acres at this time.  Fuels in the vicinity include lowland conifers, tamarack and white spruce. 

The fire is not near canoe travel routes and is not a threat to visitor safety or structures.  The closest portages are: the Rib Lake to Lower George Lake Portage which is approximately ¾ mile to the west; and the Lower George to Karl Lake Portage which is approximately 1.5 miles to the SW.  There are no closures or restrictions in the BWCAW as a result of this fire and none are anticipated. 

Management Strategy

Vegetation in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is part of a fire adapted ecosystem.  This fire is being managed to allow fire to play its natural role in the wilderness. 

Contact Information

For current conditions check the Superior National Forest Information on Boreal News at: www.boreal.org.  or call the Gunflint Office at 218-387-1750.