May 9, 2007 Evening Update
Incident: Ham Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 5/9/2007
HAM LAKE FIRE
UPDATE
9:30 PM
Great Basin Incident Management Team 1
May 9, 2007
Current Status
The state of Minnesota is at Planning Level 4. Multiple fires are being reported around the state. Equipment and crews continue to arrive on the Ham Lake Fire.
The Type II Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander John Stegmeir transitioned late today with the Great Basin Type 1 National Incident Management Team led by Paul Broyles.
An Incident Commander of a Type 1 Canadian fire management team has been added to the management team.
Extreme fire behavior was observed yesterday and today as temperatures peaked at 80 degrees and percent relative humidity bottomed out in the mid-20s. The fire moved to the east and southwest into previously unburned areas.
In preparation of an expected wind shift, a burnout operation was conducted by firefighters late this afternoon west of Gunflint Lake and north of Magnetic Road. The public can expect to see additional smoke in the area over the next 24 hour period as a result of the burnout.
The Incident Command Post (ICP) has relocated at the Seagull Guard Station.
The American Red Cross arrived Tuesday afternoon and is available to help support folks affected by the fire. They are currently staging at Gunflint Lodge.
Estimated Acreage/expected containment
Now estimated at 22,000 acres. Fire perimeter is estimated at 35 miles. Containment is estimated at 5%. No estimate on containment.
Resources on the Fire/Costs
Crews: 9 Helicopters: 8 Engines: 22 Water tenders: 1 Dozers: 8 Total Personnel: 446
Costs to Date: $ 1,250,000.
Cooperators
Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, Cook County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, American Red Cross, Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Weather Service, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Evacuations and Public Meetings
An additional evacuation took place today for Forest Rd 1347 southwest of Magnetic Lake and Cook County roads 12 and 46 on the west side of Gunflint Lake.
The area from Seagull Guard Station north to the end of the Gunflint Trail is still under a mandatory evacuation order.
The public informational meeting has been moved to a new location as of tomorrow. The meeting will be at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow at the Gunflint Fire Hall #1 (Poplar) east of Trail Center.
Closures and restrictions
The Gunflint Trail is closed at Cook County Road #46 until further notice.
For current information on closures for the Superior National Forest, including the BWCAW and Trails End Campground, visit the forest webpage at www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior.
Fire restrictions are in effect for Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties north of County Rd. 16 as of 8:00 a.m., May 7, 2007. Under these restrictions the following are prohibited: recreational fires (except gas and propane fired camp stoves and grills), welding, acetylene torches, or other devices with open flames.
Incident plans for tomorrow
The priority for suppression resources tomorrow will be securing containment lines, mopping up around structures, and continued structure protection. Aviation resources will continue to be utilized.
Fire weather
Today was mostly sunny with temperatures in the low 80's. Relative humidity was in the low 20s. Winds were southwesterly 7 mph with gusts to 16 mph. A front is expected to move through the area Thursday afternoon with winds shifting to the northwest. Winds are predicted to be 13 mph, gusting to 20 mph. High temperature is expected to be 75 degrees, with humidity in the mid-20s. The conditions are set for extreme fire behavior tomorrow. Westerly winds will cause fire to burn actively with torching, and small crown fire runs toward the east into Canada. Fire spread to the south is also possible. .
Fire and Other
Information
A Joint Information Center (JIC) is open in Grand Marais, MN at the Court House in Commissioner's Office and the phone number is 218-387-3401. The Cook County Sheriff has established a homeowner hot line for landowners in the evacuated area. The number is 218-387-3093.
The Ham Lake Fire Information Center at 218-460-4128. Media should stop at the Gunflint Volunteer Fire Department building south of Trail Center for scheduling media tours.
Fire Websites: http://www.inciweb.org/ is the primary location for information on the Ham Lake Fire. Additional fire information can be found at mnics.org.
The first 53 miles of the Gunflint Trail remains open for recreation use. Resorts and outfitters in this area remain open for business.
