May 12, 2007, 9:00 AM
Incident: Ham Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 5/12/2007
HAM LAKE FIRE
UPDATE
Great Basin Incident Management Team 1
May 12, 2007, 9:00 AM
Current Status
The Ham Fire is being managed by a Type 1 National Incident Management Team (Broyles).
Yesterday's cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and cloud cover aided in fire suppression efforts. Today's primary focus will be on the portion of the fire between Poplar, Loon, and Gunflint lakes areas. Crews are working on reinforcing containment in preparation for a planned burnout operation today in the Crab Lake area. The purpose of the burnout is to further reduce the threat to residences and businesses on both sides of Highway west to the Gunflint Lodge area in anticipation of expected higher winds tomorrow.
Efforts will also be directed at securing the northwestern flank of the fire in the Gull Lake area. Fire lines on the southwestern flank of the fire are looking good. The northwest flank is also in good shape; firefighters in this area have been moved to other needed locations on the fire, and the area is now being monitored by air. A spike camp has been established at Brant Lake to reduce travel time for firefighters in this area. The Canadian portion of the fire was active yesterday. American aerial resources are being utilized in a unified effort.
Yesterday, the Cook County assessor completed an initial assessment of structures lost. In the first few days, 134 structures were lost with an estimated value of $3.7 million.
For public safety reasons, a mandatory evacuation order remains in effect 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. An estimated 200 residences and over 20 commercial operations remain threatened.
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
Acres burned in both the United States and Canada: Estimated at 52,371 acres. Revised acreage is based on an Infrared flight early yesterday morning (May 11). Containment is still estimated at 5%. There is no estimated date on full containment.
Resources on the Fire/Costs
Crews: 16 Helicopters: 8 Engines: 41 Water tenders: 3 Dozers: 7 Available upon Demand: Medium Air Tankers 3 Heavy Air tankers - 2 Personnel: 657
Costs to Date: $ 3,192,522 as of 1700 hours May 11. Includes costs from previous operational periods that were not entered until today.
Cooperators
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 remains 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 evacuation order applies to all roadways off the Gunflint Trail.
A public informational meeting will be held both this morning at 10:00 a.m. and this evening at 7:00 p.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. 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
Today, winds out of the southeast will continue to push the finger of fire south of Gunflint Lake toward the urban interface along Loon Lake and the south side of Gunflint Lake. The priority for suppression resources will be further securing and holding containment lines, and continued structure protection in the Gunflint, Loon, and Poplar lakes areas, and along the west end of Gunflint Trail. A burnout is planned in the Crab Lake area. Aviation resources will continue to be utilized in fire suppression efforts.
Fire weather
The fire should be more active today. Temperatures today will be in the mid-60s, with relative humidity 20-25 percent. Winds are predicted to be variable to light out of the east at 5 mph. Tomorrow's weather is predicted to be partly cloudy, with a slight chance of showers. Temperatures will be in the low 60s, with humidity 30-35 percent. Winds will be southeast out of the southeast at 10-15 mph, with gusts to 25 mph.
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 is now back in operation; the number is 218-260-4128. 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.
