Ham Lake Fire Update
Incident: Ham Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 5/8/2007
The Ham Lake Fire continued to burn overnight but not as actively as Sunday night due to the increase in humidity and decrease in wind.
Currently, the fire is estimated at 16,266 acres. This number may change as the maps become more accurate.
The Cook County Sheriff has established a homeowner hot line for landowners in the evacuated area. The number is 218-387-3093. The Sheriff plans to escort property owners to their properties today.
This is still a dangerous fire and the public is not allowed from the Cross River Crossing to the end of the Trail. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will fly over the fire this morning and attend the informational public meeting at 11:00 AM at the Gunflint Fire Department Station #2.
There are over 200 persons on the ground cooperatively fighting this fire from various locations such as New England, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The fire has consumed approximately 36 structures, but through aggressive planning and action the firefighters have saved at least 52 structures.
Resources on Site:
Crews -6- 20 Person Helicopters- 3 Air Tankers- 1
Engines- 23 Air Attack-1 CL 215- 1
Dozers-8 Beavers- 3
The Great Basin (western US) Type I Incident Management Team has arrived on the fire and will be taking it over Wednesday. The Incident Command post has been relocated back to the Seagull Guard Station and a joint information center (JIC) has been established at the Cook County Courthouse with the phone 218-387-3401.
Today's temperatures are predicted to be 74 degrees with minimum RH 28% and winds westerly 8-14 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Conditions for extreme fire behavior are still in effect.
More stringent burning restrictions are in place. Under these more elevated restrictions the following are prohibited:
No burning permits will be issued except for special exceptions.
Campfires are not allowed.
No charcoal fires are allowed.
No welding or devices with open flame are allowed except under special permit. Fireworks and explosives in municipalities will be under their control.
Gas and propane camp stoves and grills are allowed.
Smoking outdoors is permitted but PLEASE USE CAUTION.
Reminder to visitors arriving for the fishing opener: the Gunflint Trail above the Cross River Bridge is closed.
Current information is available on the Superior National Forest website at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior
.
Further information is available at
http://www.inciweb.org/
