Wildfire Information

As members of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department we have been taught about wildfires and have been trained in wildfire fighting.  We also learned alot about fire activity in 1995 during the Saganaga Lake Fire.  One thing to consider when you are travelling in the wilderness and see smoke is that you can see smoke and smell smoke from a long distance away.  Generally a tall plume of smoke means it is a very hot fire whereas smoke that covers a larger area and is lower to the ground is not quite as hot.  Embers from a fire can travel a great distance and we have had them fall on us at Voyageur during the Sag Fire as well as during prescribed burns.  If conditions are right for fire, then these embers could cause a a new fire to start.  Our prevailing winds are from the West so most fires travel to the East, that is why we are still not completely "safe" from the Alpine Lake Fire.  Fire activity tends to calm down during the evenings and mornings until late morning or early afternoon when the humidity drops, winds pick up, and temperatures increase.  If you find yourself close to a wildfire then paddle out to the middle of a large lake and if necessary get into the water and underneath an overturned canoe so you can breathe easier.