Ham Lake Fire Update
Incident: Ham Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 5/9/2007
The 17,129-acre Ham Lake fire burned actively again yesterday afternoon and one additional building was lost. About 200-250 acres are now burning in Canada. Containment remains at 5%.
The National Weather Service is forecasting continued hot and dry today with light winds. Tomorrow strong winds are expected to return as a cold front moves over Minnesota.
The Cook County Sheriff has established a homeowner hot line for landowners in the evacuated area, that number is 218 387-3093. Landowners that properly identify themselves will be given status on their property. Communications and power lines north of the Seagull Guard station have been restored. A Joint Information Center has been established in Grand Marais, they can be reached at 218 387-3401.
Evacuations remain in effect for the Gunflint Trail north of the Cross River Crossing. Firefighters will be doing a burnout today to secure lines. During this burn Forest Road 1347 southwest of Magnetic Lake and Cook County 12 and 46 west of Gunflint Lake will be evacuated. Those people will be able to return to their properties when the burnout is completed.
Briefings for the public will occur at 11 am at Gunflint Fire Department station #2 next to Gunflint Lodge tomorrow the meeting will be at 10am at Gunflint Fire Hall #1.
Currently over 300 people are on the fire. A Type 1 Team from the Great Basin will be assuming command of the fire at 8 pm this evening. Today, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources are on scene to establish Unified Command with their US counterparts. Additional strike teams (5 engines) of structural engines will be arriving today and crews, personnel and aircraft are on order. The Incident Command Post has been moved back to Seagull Guard Station.
The Red Cross has arrived to provide assistance for displaced property owners. They will be staged at Gunflint Lodge.
Fire Restrictions remain in effect for all Superior National Forest and Voyageurs National Park lands as well as Cook and Lake Counties and that portion of St. Louis County north of St. Louis County Road 16.
These restrictions are as follows:
No burning permits issued except for special exceptions issued by the state or federal agency having suppression responsibilities.
Recreational fires - not allowed, except gas and propane fired camp stoves, grills, and similar devices are allowed. No charcoal permitted.
Use of fireworks and explosives within municipalities shall be under control of the municipalities.
No welding, acetylene torches or other devices with open flame allowed in forest areas except under special permit.
Please visit www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior for information on closures on the Superior National Forest. Other fire information can be obtained on www.mnics.org or inciweb.org.
