Ham Lake Fire Update
Incident: Ham Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 5/7/2007
Ham Lake Fire Update
The Ham Lake fire continued to burn actively through the evening Sunday and presently is 16,000 + acres. It has burned into the area at the end of the Gunflint Trail where severe damage to multiple structures has occurred. The National Weather Service is forecasting severe fire conditions for the area this afternoon and tomorrow. South winds will switch to the west.
The Cook County Sheriff has established a homeowner hot line for landowners in the evacuated area. This will be operational at 3:00 PM today. The number is 218-387-3093. Landowners that properly identify themselves will be given status on their property. All communications lines north of the Seagull Guard station are destroyed.
This is still a dangerous fire, multiple trees and hazards are across the Gunflint Trail and no one will be allowed from the Cross River Crossing to the end of the Trail.
Briefings for the public will occur at 11 am at Gunflint Fire Department station #2 next to Gunflint Lodge.
Currently 150+ people are on the fire. Seven Fire Departments from Cook County are assisting with structural protection. A Type 1 Team from the Great Basin has been ordered and will begin arriving today. They are individuals from Utah, Nevada and southern Idaho. The Incident Command Post has been moved to Gunflint Lodge Conference Center.
Today's temperatures are expected to reach 70 degrees with the cloud cover expected to burn off by 12:00. RH is expected to be slightly higher between 30-35%. Winds will be South to Southeast in the morning, switching to Southwest/West by early afternoon with gusts up to 25 mph. The Gunflint Trail did not receive any precipitation over night. The conditions for extreme fire behavior are still in effect. Continued active burning is expected.
Further burning restrictions from the Department of Natural Resources are in place for Cook, Lake and that portion of St. Louis county north of County Rd 16 on Monday, May 7 at 8:00 am.
Under these more restrictive restrictions the following are prohibited: No burning permits will be issued except for special exceptions issued by State or Federal agencies having suppression responsibilities.
Recreational fires are not allowed, except gas and propane fired camp stoves, grills or similar devices. No charcoal permitted.
No welding, acetylene torches or other devices with open flame allowed in forested areas except under special permits.
Use of fireworks and explosives in municipalities will be under control of municipalities.
Smoking outdoors is permitted. PLEASE USE CAUTION!
Reminder to visitors arriving for the 2007 Fishing Opener: The Gunflint Trail above the Cross River bridge is closed. See restrictions above.
Closure information is available on the Superior National website at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior.
Further information is available at
http://www.inciweb.org/
