There is a fire in Birch Bay on Burntside.

"Fire personnel and aircraft are responding to a new wildfire that has been detected on the Superior National Forest northwest of the North Arm of Burntside Lake area approximately 8 miles northwest of Ely, MN. Numerous engines, crews, and water delivery aircraft are responding. The Birch Bay Fire is estimated at 3-5 acres in size. Wind direction is currently from east to west. CL-415 Super Scooper aircraft will be scooping water from Burntside Lake, boaters please give them plenty of room to safely operate. Additional updates will be provided as more information is available.
IMPORTANT: Please do not drive or fly to this area or the north arm road area, the Public are asked to STAY OUT of the area for public and firefighter safety. This is a developing situation and responders need space to work safety.
Unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flights threaten firefighter safety and wildland fire suppression efforts. If you fly, we can't! "

Map location area

The fire grew to 30 acres as of last night. It is located just outside the BWCA. I have a friend staying on an island on Burntside. A photo of his from yesterday below. He said it looks like this morning it is just smoldering so that sounds like good news.

Video of a couple Super Scoopers in action yesterday.

Thanks for the updates. Keep me (us) posted. I'll be hopefully camping in the area next week.

Yeah I would bet that those firefighter pilots have the most adrenaline filled jobs a grown-up could imagine.
What a thrill it would be to do that for work!
Tom

I heard 35 acres and they are going to catch this one soon.

tumblehome: "Yeah I would bet that those firefighter pilots have the most adrenaline filled jobs a grown-up could imagine.
What a thrill it would be to do that for work!
Tom"

Yes. But very very dangerous.

InciWeb Report for today

35 Acres as mentioned above so it isn't growing much. 65 personnel working the fire.

Luckily, the wind is minimal.

This area was logged several years ago so it should help to slow the fire.

Update from USFS 12:30pm today:

The Birch Bay Fire, located west of the North Arm of Burntside Lake about 8 miles northwest of Ely, is estimated at 35 acres and is now 10% contained. A MNICS Type 3 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire this morning. About 80 personnel are assigned, and crews continue making progress with ground and aerial suppression efforts. Firefighters have been building and strengthening containment lines with engines, crews, heavy equipment, helicopters, and water-scooping aircraft, while also securing portions of the fire perimeter and suppressing hotspots along the more active northern edge.

There are currently no closures in effect, but the public is asked to stay away from the North Arm Road area, give aircraft plenty of room on Burntside Lake, and not fly drones near the fire due to a temporary flight restriction. Saint Louis County is using the Ready, Set, Go notification system, and residents should monitor official county updates for evacuation information. Fire danger remains very high across the region, with sunny, dry weather, low humidity, and afternoon winds up to 20 mph expected today. Minimal rainfall is expected, so everyone should remain alert and check current burning restrictions before any outdoor burning.

Date: June 4, 2026, 4:00 PM

As of yesterday:

Incident Name: Birch Bay Fire Size: 35 acres

Cause: Under Investigation Containment: 30% Personnel: 103

Location: West of the North Arm of Burntside Lake, approximately 8 miles northwest of Ely, MN.

Key Message: Firefighters continue to make progress, achieving 30% containment through coordinated suppression efforts yesterday. Firefighter and public safety remain the highest priorities. Firefighters continue to look to improve current containment lines and contingency lines to protect infrastructure and values at risk.

Operations: Firefighters completed saw and hose lines around the fire yesterday. They will continue to strengthen containment lines around the fire using engines, crews, heavy equipment, and aviation resources. Crews will continue to mop up and secure containment lines, looking for hotspots and fire weakened trees. Water-scooping aircraft and helicopters are available to support ground resources as needed. A hotshot crew arrived on the incident today and will be assisting in mop up and containment.

Planned Activity: Firefighters will continue to reinforce containment lines along the edge of the fire perimeter. Crews will use direct suppression tactics by working along the fire’s edge to mop up hotspots within 60 feet of the fire edge. Mop up includes finding and extinguishing the hot spots and smoldering debris near containment lines, in addition to felling trees that may pose a hazard to firefighters and resources. Indirect containment strategies may also be utilized by strengthening containment features away from active fire to safely limit fire growth and protect nearby values at risk. Aircraft support is available today to support suppression efforts as needed.

Evacuations: In cooperation with U.S. Forest Service Officials and MNICS Team A, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation zones in the area of the Birch Bay Fire. Firefighters and heavy equipment will still be operating in the area and residents should be extremely cautious if travelling down the North Arm Road. Ther public is still advised to stay clear of the area. Current evacuation information can be found on the St. Louis County website at: https://sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/

Closures: There are no current closures in effect, however firefighters and equipment are actively working on the fire. The public is asked to stay away from the North Arm Road area; give clearance to water scooping aircraft on Burntside Lake; and to NOT fly unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones anywhere near the fire area--a TFR (temporary flight restriction) is in place over the fire area. This will allow the firefighting aircraft pilots to fly safely and the firefighters on the ground to work safely. Please remember that if you fly, we can’t! For current TFR restrictions visit: https://tfr.faa.gov for more information.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions go into effect within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Superior National Forest beginning Saturday morning (12:01) am., June 6, 2026 until June 30 unless rescinded or extended. Gas or propane cook stoves are still allowed throughout the BWCAW. Stoves or grills fueled by charcoal, or any type of wood are not allowed. For current information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

Weather: Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms throughout the day, with a high temperature of 79 degrees. The minimum humidity will be around 45%. Light winds from the southwest will increase up to 18 mph in the afternoon. Minimal rain fell over the fire area over the past 24 hours.

The fire investigation found that a USFS crew likely started this fire with a chainsaw while clearing a fire break for a future prescribed fire.
I've seen this happen before by logging crews a few times in my career.

Stuff happens.....Be easy on em.....

Stuff happens.....Be easy on em.....

The Birch Bay fire is officially 100% contained which is good news as the two new fires are going to stretch resources.

Interesting that the fire was started by a chainsaw being used to clear brush for future controlled burns. This begs the question: How many of the BWCA forest fires that have occurred over the past 25 years are due to the result of either prepping for or doing a controlled burn?

oldfart01: "Interesting that the fire was started by a chainsaw being used to clear brush for future controlled burns. This begs the question: How many of the BWCA forest fires that have occurred over the past 25 years are due to the result of either prepping for or doing a controlled burn? "

I bet very few in the BWCA. When I worked fire for the USFS a chain saw run by a logger started a wild fire around 2002, not in the BW, but in the SNF. Many National forests out west have step up plans, when fire indices are at certain levels mechanical equipment is not allowed during specific times of the day.