Pagami Creek Fire Update September 4

Pagami Creek Fire
                                                          UPDATE: September 4, 2011

TODAY’S MESSAGE:  Today, the Interagency Incident Management Team has planned a burn out in the area from the Pagami fire to Lakes One and Two.  Firing operations of this kind are weather-dependent.  The weather outlook has been favorable but this may change.  

ACTIVITIES TODAY:  
        Firing operations are expected to begin in the mid afternoon.
        A variety of aerial resources will be used on the burn out.  
-Helicopters will be used to ignite the burn.
-A water-scooping tanker called a CL-215 will be scooping water from Snowbank Lake.
-A small plane will provide tactical direction to all operations from the air.
-Float planes will conduct reconnaissance and support operations.
        For visitor safety, the two portages between Lake One and Lake Two will be closed for a period of time during the burn out.  To avoid a delay at these portages, visitors are encouraged to get across these portages before 2:00 pm today.
        Safety crews will hold traffic from crossing the portages until it is safe and then will escort groups through the portages. The portages will be reopened as quickly as possible.

OUTLOOK:  Firing activities may continue on Monday to meet management objectives. Reducing fuels in this area will decrease the potential for fire to spread outside the Wilderness boundary.  
People should expect to see and smell smoke through the next several days. Dry weather trends are predicted into mid-September.   There are no imminent threats to public safety or private properties.  There are no closures in place at this time.  

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 continued yesterday with smoldering, creeping and group tree torching.

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

RESOURCES:  Minnesota Interagency Incident Management Team B is managing the fire with 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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