Wildfire in NE Minn. now 59 percent contained

Firefighters report another good day battling a wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Pagami Creek Fire is now 59 percent contained as of last night. The size remains about 146 square miles.

Fire information officer Larry Helmerick says 789 firefighters are now assigned to the blaze, which has been burning in the wilderness for nearly six weeks.

“We’re extremely pleased with any time we can advance 9 or 10 percent a day, that’s outstanding. Firefighters are doing as much as they can as fast as they can, as safe as they can. We’re using what we call all the tools in the tool box. We’re even using fire line explosives in some areas just because of the type of terrain, and that’s pretty unusual that we can do that. We’re basically hitting it from land, sea and air, as I like to say.”

The forecast calls for warmer weather today and Wednesday, with highs near 70, and slightly windier. The chance of rain doesn't return until Wednesday night.