Pagami Creek Boundary Waters Fire Update September 2

Pagami Creek Fire

                                                UPDATE: September 2, 2011

TODAY’S MESSAGE:  The Interagency Management Team is prepared to conduct a firing operation on the east side of the fire when conditions become favorable.  Reducing the fuels in this area will reduce the potential for the fire to spread outside the Wilderness boundary and threaten private properties to the north or to threaten the heavily-used Lake One and Lake Two areas.  This planned burn-out is part of a long term strategy.  

KEY OBJECTIVES:

        Keep the fire within the Wilderness
        Maintaining safety of the public and firefighters
        Provide safe access for Wilderness visitors while allowing the fire to serve its role in the ecology of the Wilderness.  

ACTIVITES:  Pending acceptable weather for the burn-out, crews will continue to monitor the fire and continue with mop-up at the north end of the fire.  Safety crews will continue to contact and inform Wilderness travelers.  The sprinkling system along the portages between Lakes One and Two is complete. By the end of today the sprinkler system along Rock Island Portage will be in place and ready for use.

OUTLOOK:  Very little rain was received on the fire yesterday.  Predicted drying trends may provide a window for the firing operation in the near future.  

There are no imminent threats to public safety or private properties.  There are no closures in place at this time.  Wilderness travelers can expect a brief delay in portaging between Lakes One and Two during the firing operation.  Visitors are asked to stay off Pagami Creek and to stay clear of the fire area.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011
CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  130 acres actually burned

LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, Sections 30, 31, 32:  approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.

AGENCY:  Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District

STATUS: Fire activity has moderated due to high humidity and low winds.

SMOKE CONDITIONS: Depending on wind directions, visitors may see and smell smoke.

RESOURCES:  Minnesota Interagency Incident Management Team B is managing the fire with approximately 103 personnel. Public safety crews are in place to provide contact with Wilderness visitors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:        

Phone (218) 365-3177  
Internet:  www.inciweb.org/incident/2534
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