May 11, 2007 Noon Update
Incident: Ham Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 5/11/2007
HAM LAKE FIRE
UPDATE
Great Basin Incident Management Team 1
May 11, 2007, 12:00 PM
Current Status
For public safety reasons, a mandatory evacuation order was issued by Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk for the Gunflint Lake and Loon Lake areas early yesterday afternoon. Highway 12 is closed from Poplar Lake Fire Hall (Gunflint #1) to the end of Gunflint Trail.
Driven by strong west winds yesterday, the fire made an estimated 13 miles run to the east in the area north of Gunflint Lake on the Canadian side of the International Border. Late yesterday afternoon, winds shifted to the north-northwest, pushing the fire south toward Gunflint Narrows. Strong winds caused the fire to burn actively, with torching and crown fire runs. The fire crossed the Narrows areas, making an estimated 12 mile run to the southeast, burning across the Gunflint Trail (Cook County Road 12) and through the Iron Lake Campground. At last report late yesterday evening, the head of the fire was an estimated 2 miles wide, moving southeast toward the Poplar Lake area. There was no growth on the north, west, or southwest flanks of the fire. No structures have been reported lost; however, an assessment is currently underway by emergency personnel. An estimated 200 residences and over 20 commercial operations remain threatened.
In preparation of the expected wind shift, a burnout operation was conducted by firefighters late Wednesday afternoon west of Gunflint Lake. This burnout was critical in fire suppression operations, preventing the fire from moving into the Gunflint Lake Lodge area. Fire suppression forces are now focusing on structural protection for homes and businesses on Gunflint, Loon, and Poplar lakes, and along the Gunflint Trail.
The State of Minnesota is currently at Planning Level 4. Multiple fires are being reported around the state. Equipment and crews continue to arrive on the Ham Lake Fire. Unseasonably warm weather and drought conditions have created extreme fire conditions in northern Minnesota.
Estimated Acreage/ containment
Acreage: Estimated at 55,000 acres. Smoke has prevented an Infrared flight to determine a more accurate acreage. Containment is still estimated at 5%. There is no estimated date on full containment.
Resources on the Fire/Costs
Crews: 16 Helicopters: 8 Engines: 33 Water tenders: 1 Dozers: 8 Available upon Demand: Medium Air Tankers 3 Heavy Air tankers - 2 Personnel: 584. Additional resources continue to arrive.
Costs to Date: $ 1,928,641 as of 1700 hours May 10.
Cooperators
The Ham Fire is being managed by Great Basin Type 1 National Incident Management Team (Broyles). An Incident Commander of a Type 1 Canadian fire management team has been added to the unified command, which includes Cook County, Minnesota government agencies, and the Canadian Province of Ontario.
Cooperators include 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
A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for the area north and west of the Poplar Lake volunteer fire station (Gunflint #1). The area along the Gunflint Trail between Gunflint #1 (7401 Gunflint Trail) and Swamper Lake is under a cautionary evacuation order. This cautionary order applies to all roadways off the Gunflint Trail.
Due to the mandatory evacuation order, no further information meetings will be held at Gunflint Fire Hall #1. A public informational meeting will be held this morning at 10:00 a.m. in Grand Marais, MN at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.
Closures and restrictions
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 Cook County Rd. 16. 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 today
Fire spread to the west and east toward residences and resorts is a major concern for fire suppression forces. The priority for suppression resources is now further securing and holding containment lines, and continued structure protection in the Gunflint, Loon, and Poplar lakes areas, and along the Gunflint Trail west of Poplar Lake. Aviation resources will continue to be utilized.
Fire weather
Winds have now subsided from the frontal passage and are predicted to be east at around 10 mph today. Winds are expected to subside overnight to around 10 mph as the front moves across the Great Lakes region, shifting further to the east. Temperatures today will be in the 60s, with relative humidity around 30-40 percent.
Fire and Other Information
A Joint Information Center (JIC) is open in Grand Marais, MN at the Court House in the Commissioner's Office (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 (218-460-4128) is out of service at the present time. Phone and power lines were lost when the fire burned across Gunflint Trail. The public will be notified when services have been restored. In the interim, media should contact the JIC for scheduling access to the fire. 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.
