Camping allowed again in the Superior National Forest

More good news today as the US Forest Service announced folks can camp in the Superior National Forest once again. This opens up the dispersed camping and backcountry campsites. This does not include the pre-evacuation area of the Gunflint Trail even though the pre-evacuation has ended.  Campfires are still not allowed anywhere in our region.

Other good news includes our Canadian neighbors who are now beginning to work on Quetico Park fires. Due to the large amount of fires burning elsewhere in Ontario the Quetico fires were pretty much left to burn. To date those fires have burned over 120,000 acres and resulted in the Quetico Park being closed as well. Now they have the other fires under control so they can spend time working on suppressing the fires in the Quetico.

fires in the Quetico Park
Quetico Park fire

USFS UPDATE 9/2

JOHN EK FIRE (1,350 acres, 0% contained): Crews were flown into the fire to improve portages and set up sprinkler systems on the east and west sides of the fire. Firefighters will be widening portages to serve as a contingency line on the north side of the fire from Ogishkemuncie Lake to Tuscarora Lake. A structure protection group is working on the south side of Gunflint trail from Poplar Lake to Round Lake and Tuscarora Lodge. 

WHELP FIRE (50 acres, 0% contained): The Whelp Fire is five miles northwest of Sawbill Lake. Fire managers continue to use air resources to monitor the fire and are assessing contingency line opportunities on the south side of the fire. They are also looking for opportunities to go direct.  

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR:  An incoming weather disturbance will bring abundant cloud cover to the region today, along with increasing chances for measurable rainfall tonight through Friday morning. Winds today will increase out of the southeast at 6-9 mph with 14-19 mph gusts. Minimum relative humidity will range from the mid-40’s to mid-50’s, with higher humidity’s expected for Friday. Clouds and scattered showers will keep temperatures cooler the next two days.

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