Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: 10 years later Pagami fire recount
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takk |
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Pinetree |
I was camping solo on Isabella River, I went to bed and could see smoke about 4 miles away before I went to bed. It did not look to bad. Got up in the morning it was hot and windy. After a few hours paddling the river, I looked to the west, and it looked like an Atomic Bomb went off. Huge Mushroom cloud reaching high into the sky. I watched it for a while. I was supposed to stay one more night but felt uneasy and temp was 88 degrees F. Started up the little Isabella River and came around the corner, there lied a monstrous bull moose laying in the middle of the river cooling off and a cow a short distance away. Waited a few minutes than they left so I could move on. Got out to the Little Isabella parking lot and here was wide yellow caution tape, do not enter across the portage next to my truck. Loaded up and went down to where the Island River crossed the Tomahawk, there was smoke everywhere, Ashes falling all over. A helicopter was over the Island river and Isabella River blasting with loudspeaker for campers to leave. Sheriff cars, forestry personnel were running all over and going down to the Isabella lake making sure people got out. Thought best if I got out of the way. Went to Ely and stopped at the Kawishiwi station to report getting out. All that time I had no camera. I could of got a awesome picture of the mushroom cloud and bull moose. After that went home bought a lightweight camera that goes everywhere now. Note: The year of the 4th July historical windstorm. Same campsite on Isabella river and again left a day early _July 3rd. Why, just felt like I should for some reason? 15 years later again I was at that campsite again,1st week of Oct. and I got snowed on with close to 12 inches of snow. That area is like a twilight zone for me. Yes a few more happenings while in that area also over the years. |
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takk |
The woman who narrates the BWCA rules videos you watch when you get your permit was one of the rangers who had to deploy a fire shelter on Insula during Pagami. There is a really good video from their perspective. |
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Findian |
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Pinetree |
egknuti: "Let us know when you’ll be at that campsite again:). I remember fishing on the Isabella when the fire first started and even recording a video off the Tomahawk Road. I remember watching the news as they reported from the Island River entry point and I could see everything was burned. I paddled the river in mid October to survey the damage. I found a stove on the other side of the second portage on the Island River. Thanksgiving weekend we hiked the Powwow Trail which was still walkable and found areas still smoldering. " I know they were trying to get a camper off the area downstream from Isabella Lake a mile or so. The chopper kept circling the area. Apparently, he wasn't get out fast enough at first. About where you mentioned. |
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TrailZen |
TZ |
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airmorse |
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Pinetree |
airmorse: "Amazing stories of survival. " Yes we had many on this board tell their story. Be nice to have recall of them. This hot weather, things are actually getting dry again. |
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egknuti |
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