Boundary Waters Fire Update Monday October 3, 2011

Pagami Creek Fire
Monday, October 3, 2011
Phone: 218-365-3177, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. E-mail: PIOPagamiFire@gmail.com

Website: www.inciweb.org/incident/2534

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/112717872039965407359


















TODAY'S MESSAGE: The Pagami Creek Fire remains at 92,682 acres and is 71% contained. Greg Peterson's Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Type II Team took command of the fire at 6:00 this morning. There may be increased smoke in the area as fire activity increases somewhat with higher temperatures and wind increase over the fire area.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:

·   On the West and Northwest portions of the fire crews will patrol, mop-up existing lines and back haul unneeded equipment.

·   On the Northeast and East portions of the fire, line construction will continue as well as patrol and mop-up of previously constructed line. 

·   On the Southern portions near Isabella, mop-up and rehabilitation of dozer line continues.

·   On the Southwestern portions, line construction will continue.

·   Crews around the fire will be checking outside the line for hot spots that are expected to show up with the warmer weather.

·   Several camps are being moved to locate crews closer to their assigned activity areas.

·   Air resources will continue to provide support to firefighters on the ground.

WEATHER: Dry and warm weather with increasing winds is forecast over the fire through the week. Temperatures today should be in the mid 70s with winds out of the southeast at 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

AREA/ROAD CLOSURES: The Superior National Forest has reduced the closure area around the Pagami Creek Fire. Some areas that have been reopened include Snowbank Lake, North Kawishiwi River, and Bald Eagle Lake. A small portion of the BWCAW and national forest lands remain closed. To see the updated closure, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home or www.inciweb.org/incident/2534.

The road closures still in effect form a continual route from west to east. The closure includes the following roads and areas: FR 377D from the intersection of FR 377 (Tomahawk Rd) to the BWCAW boundary (Bog Lake Access); FR 377 (Tomahawk Rd) from the intersection of FR 377D east to FR 379; FR 379 south to the intersection of FR 369; the area north of FR 369 between the intersection of FR 379 and FR 356 (FR 369 is OPEN); FR 356 northeast from the intersection of FR 369 to FR 1244 (Coffee Lake Access); FR 1244 south to the intersection of Lake County Road 7 (CR 7); All areas west of CR 7 from the intersection of FR 1244 to FR 354 (CR 7 is OPEN); FR 354 north to the BWCAW boundary (Kawishiwi Lake Access).

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: The Superior National Forest has lifted all campfire restrictions. For more information, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home.

LOCATION: The fire started approximately 13 miles east of Ely.

CAUSE: Lightning

DETECTED: August 18, 2011

RESOURCES: There are currently 530 personnel assigned to the incident. Resources include: 10 hotshot (Type 1) crews, 2 Type 2 crews, 3 engines, 4 dozers, 1 water tenders, 3 camp crews and other personnel. The following air resources are available: two Type 1 helicopters, three Type 3 helicopters, and three Beaver aircraft on floats.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Area closures and burning restrictions: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/home

Smoke conditions: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/



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Pagami Creek Fire
Public Information
218-365-3177