Just FYI,
Yesterday afternoon (May 17), a lighting started wildfire was detected on the LaCroix Ranger District. The fire is located northwest of Bezhik Lake and west of Big Moose Lake within the Trout Lake unit of the BWCAW (T64N-R14W, Section 8). It is currently located away from any travel routes and lakes/rivers. A flight over the fire yesterday evening estimated the size to be approximately 10 acres. Due to the remote location and late time of day, it was not safe to put firefighters on the ground last night. Additional flights are planned this morning to get an updated assessment. A more detailed fire update will be provided later today.
Please let me know if you have any questions.



Margaret Whiting
VSIA
Forest Service
Superior National Forest
p: 218-365-7600
f: 218-365-7563
margaret.whiting@usda.gov

1393 Hwy 169
Ely, MN 55731
www.fs.fed.us


Caring for the land and serving people

Not surprising. Thunderstorms rolled through the Ely area on Sunday afternoon with lots of lightning strikes and not too much rain.

Yeah I saw a picture from pilot's instagram...just a little patch. (for now)

Just read a update from WDIO that the fire is now 1600 acres as of 6:41 PM. If that isn't bad information, must have been some wind on it today. What is WDIO a radio station?

Here is a link to WDIO radio news report.
Link to WDIO (ABC affiliate) news report

The fire ballooned from 10 acres to 1600 acres overnight. Hot shots being sent in

The forecast looks pretty wet for awhile up there. Maybe not enough to put the fire out, but it should limit the growth and let them get a handle on it. That's a tough area to get firefighters into.

A few mornings ago I saw a "caravan" of hot shot white vehicles heading east down Sheridan Street. I think this was pretty correctly anticipated.

HangLoose: " Here is a link to WDIO radio news report.
Link to WDIO (ABC affiliate) news report


The fire ballooned from 10 acres to 1600 acres overnight. Hot shots being sent in"

Yesterday afternoon the smoke cloud could be seen looking across Shagawa from the top of the hill that holds the head frame of the old mine.

Fire size is downgraded to 950 acres according to the USFS/WDIO.

950 acres now.