Just heard from a USFS family member that we have a fire on an island on Saganaga. Hopefully doesn't go anywhere.

Oh no :( Any word on which island or general location?

Its reported on Horseshoe Island

takk: "Its reported on Horseshoe Island"

Oh that is not good at all. That is such a tight complex of islands and it seems the potential for spreading off the island could be high depending on winds. Reached out to friends on red pine but I’m sure they are occupied. That area has been through a lot.

Another island fire? Has there been lightning up there? This is starting to look like a pattern of arson.

Just camped on that island a couple years ago...any new news on this?

I heard from red pine island today. It sounds like this is the 2nd fire within a week there, both relatively small. First was more threatening to the resorts and old growth on red pine island, this one not as much. First was handled by residents and Gunflint volunteer FD. Haven’t determined the cause of either just yet.

The fact that it’s not listed on the incident command site seems like a positive as the fires don’t require USFS resources at this time?

I know the Daniels lake fire was caused by lightning so let’s not jump the gun talking about arson.

ItascaBirder: "Another island fire? Has there been lightning up there? This is starting to look like a pattern of arson. "

We were up on Cross Bay Lake. There was lightning to the north overnight on Sat into early Sunday morning (21nd and 22rd).

ItascaBirder: "Another island fire? Has there been lightning up there? This is starting to look like a pattern of arson. "

I’ve been saving up a few questions on this topic. First, what data is kept on arson in BWCA? Who keeps it? What do we know about this phenomenon in broad strokes? Who does this? )I have read about an epidemic of firefighters in CA doing this.) What pattern of behavior is seen before, during and after the crime? Where does arson mostly occur and why? What is the motive? Who benefits? Is there anything we should be doing to stop this from happening? Finally, what is the distinction between arson and other fires caused by humans, and how can we tell which was which when reading about the fires?

Most recent information: There was a fire detected Wednesday, 9/25, in the BWCAW on Saganaga Lake – Horseshoe Island. It was declared contained yesterday afternoon 9/26 at about a 1/4 acre. Crews are continuing to monitor the fire. We had a USFS wilderness crew working in the area who responded, along with USFS fire personnel and USFS Law Enforcement. There were parties cited with multiple campfires outside the designated fire grate, no permit for the boundary waters, and multiple other infractions.

BWCA: "Most recent information: There was a fire detected Wednesday, 9/25, in the BWCAW on Saganaga Lake – Horseshoe Island. It was declared contained yesterday afternoon 9/26 at about a 1/4 acre. Crews are continuing to monitor the fire. We had a USFS wilderness crew working in the area who responded, along with USFS fire personnel and USFS Law Enforcement. There were parties cited with multiple campfires outside the designated fire grate, no permit for the boundary waters, and multiple other infractions. "

This makes me sick to my stomach :(

BWCA: "Most recent information: There was a fire detected Wednesday, 9/25, in the BWCAW on Saganaga Lake – Horseshoe Island. It was declared contained yesterday afternoon 9/26 at about a 1/4 acre. Crews are continuing to monitor the fire. We had a USFS wilderness crew working in the area who responded, along with USFS fire personnel and USFS Law Enforcement. There were parties cited with multiple campfires outside the designated fire grate, no permit for the boundary waters, and multiple other infractions. "

Send then to prison, make an example of them!!! If they didn't have permits just issuing a fine will do nothing, baning them from the BW will do nothing as they clearly show no respect for the rules. Prison!

I camped there with the rangers camped on that island for 3 nites last August.

Sept. 28 at 1500.
85 degrees F. at Sea Gull lake and 84 degrees F. at Ely. Hot and dry.

Pinetree: "Sept. 28 at 1500.
85 degrees F. at Sea Gull lake and 84 degrees F. at Ely. Hot and dry."

Gross. Cool down can’t get here soon enough. I’m going camping on the St. Croix river this weekend and it looks perfect.

ItascaBirder: "Another island fire? Has there been lightning up there? This is starting to look like a pattern of arson. "
Its not Arson. Its called irresponsible campers.

It was super windy and dry today on Seagull Lake.
A plane was flying circles over the area this afternoon.

Our campsite on seagull was so dry that with every step you could just see the dust. Also very windy the last few days, perfect fire conditions.
Currently there is a fire ban hopefully nothing happens.

Sounds like they nabbed the people reponsible, they will most likely be held accountable for the suppression costs of the fire. Those costs are likely to be many thousands of dollars.

LindenTree: "Sounds like they nabbed the people reponsible, they will most likely be held accountable for the suppression costs of the fire. Those costs are likely to be many thousands of dollars."

This story made my blood boil.

It was my understanding that these jerks also did not have a permit.

I hope they are fined into the poor house. I suppose the USFS could ban them, but following permitting rules likely will have little impact on their future behavior. Maybe they can enter the wilderness by doing about 3000 hours of community service, along with a fine that covers the entirety of the fire fighting effort.

Mike

While I agree we need more hefty fines and jail time to prevent actions like this, I doubt they will get any big fines. If you read the book Gunflint Burning, they talk about what probably would have happened to the main character had he been charged. Rarely would a judge fine them to cover costs like this to the point where they were broke. According to the author anyways.

MikeinMpls: "

LindenTree: "Sounds like they nabbed the people reponsible, they will most likely be held accountable for the suppression costs of the fire. Those costs are likely to be many thousands of dollars."

This story made my blood boil.


It was my understanding that these jerks also did not have a permit.


I hope they are fined into the poor house. I suppose the USFS could ban them, but following permitting rules likely will have little impact on their future behavior. Maybe they can enter the wilderness by doing about 3000 hours of community service, along with a fine that covers the entirety of the fire fighting effort.


Mike"