Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: New wildfire reported in the BWCA.
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LindenTree |
Helli repellers |
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LindenTree |
"Aerial resources will scout the fire to help plan for suppression tactics. Visiting rappeler resources will recon the fire for engagement. Access is very poor, so firefighters and public safety is the top priority. Aircraft will be utilized as available." inciweb |
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smoke |
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BWCA |
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LindenTree |
"A fire has been reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Kawishiwi Ranger District, east of the Horse River in a remote area. Firefighting personnel are assessing the fire and safe engagement options. As more information is available, updates will be provided as the situation continues to evolve. Public are asked to stay out of the area for safety reasons to allow for firefighting resources and public safety. For the safety of firefighting resources, no drones are allowed near the fire area and are illegal in federal designated wilderness areas. ??: USDA Forest Service image by A, Kania" Think it is called the "Horse River Fire" ~5 acres but spotty info on my end. Horse River Fire USDA Forest Service image by A, Kania |
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Ahahn366 |
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Pinetree |
Savage Voyageur: "Has there been any rainfall up there this week? Here in central Minnesota we got over 4 1/2” of rain in the last 7 days. " zero east of Ely as far as can tell |
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setaylor112404 |
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Savage Voyageur |
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toastedmarshmallow12 |
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Mocha |
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gravelroad |
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Z4K |
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Pinetree |
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LindenTree |
gravelroad: "New update was just posted: 1 A.M. FRIDAY, MAY 23 UPDATE - Superior National Forest leaders say lightning caused the Horse River fire burning up to 10 acres in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In a press release Friday, SNF leaders say the fire started Thursday east of the Horse River in a remote part of the BWCA about 16 miles northeast of Ely. As of Friday, the fire is not contained. Fire management staff have identified the tree on a ridgetop where lightning struck, causing the wildfire. The fire is burning in a mixed boreal forest with pine and hardwood trees like birch and aspen. Fire management staff will fly the fire Friday morning to strategically plan access options and firefighter engagement due to the fire’s remote location. The area is more than a mile off any canoe route. Blowdown is limited, but ground access is very poor and SNF leaders say firefighters’ and the public’s safety are the top priorities. There are not any BWCA closures associated with this fire, but campers are asked to stay out of the fire zone for their safety. |
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Ausable |
setaylor112404: "I think we're looking to the south at Jackfish Bay of Basswood Lake. That river fizzles out before getting to Basswood." I concur. |
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Ahahn366 |
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LindenTree |
Ahahn366: "It's a really nice understory burn going on the smokes are jackpots (dead trees etc) burning if it wasn't near highly used areas and so dry ,it would be a candidate for letting it do it's thing" I agree, two years of my 30 year wildland firefighting career was a "Prescribed Fire Monitor" part of that duty entailed monitoring lighting ignitions in the wilderness. One time in CA I did 43 shifts on a lighting fire in Sequoia NP in 96.. I think the USFS is a little gun shy after the Pagami fire, besides that, it is early in the year and dry, besides being close to Canada and other large fires in MN being close by. Those factors would fit into the fire "full suppression matrix". |
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LindenTree |
1) You are not hearing much about this fire, which means it is not moving much. 2) Multiple aircraft are available due to the other fires being mostly contained. Those are positive things. Negative. 1) They are unable to quickly insert on the ground firefighters. (I heard rumors that there is a Hellirappell helicopter in ELY, not sure, but that would really help) 2) There may be other sleeper fires/new starts lurking under the peat some where, waiting to awaken. My wildfire forecast. This fire will be a locally, long running issue for a minimum of a few weeks until ground resources are inserted or lots and lots of rain happens. But it will not increase in acreage much if any due to available aircraft. |
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Pinetree |
LindenTree: "Ahahn366: "It's a really nice understory burn going on the smokes are jackpots (dead trees etc) burning if it wasn't near highly used areas and so dry ,it would be a candidate for letting it do it's thing" When out west in the Mountains, specially above 8000 feet I have never seen such fierce and scary lighting strikes. They start so much closer to the clouds, many times clouds and mountains are the same elevation. It can be extremely scary. |
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smoke |
Missoula would load out a DC-3 and follow the Bird Dog in order to two man fires as soon as they appeared. Times have changed and so have tactics or lack of them. |
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BWCA |
Fire update as of yesterday. Please stay clear of the area being worked, and note the closure. |
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BWCA |
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LindenTree |
With the Horse River Fire 100% contained, all firefighters and firefighting equipment have been removed from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Management of the fire was handed back to the Superior National Forest on Sunday at 7:00 am. |
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Finnboy |
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Pinetree |
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