HAM LAKE FIRE

UPDATE

Great Basin Incident Management Team 1

May 13, 2007, 9:00 AM

Current Status

American aerial and ground resources are being utilized in a unified effort with Canadian fire suppression forces. The American operation is being managed by Broyles' Type 1 National Incident Management Team (IMT). The Canadian Type 1 IMT Team will be in place at Sandstone Lake in Ontario tomorrow.

Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and lighter winds aided in yesterday's fire suppression efforts. Crews were successful in completing a planned burnout operation late yesterday in the Crab Lake area. The burnout reduced the threat to residences and businesses on both sides of Highway 12 west toward Gunflint Lodge. The west-northwest flank of the fire is a concern; today's winds are expected to push the fire toward Saganaga Lake. Fire lines on the southwestern flank of the fire continue to look good.

Canadian fire suppression forces are focusing on three geographic areas today: 1) east flank, where a burnout is tentatively planned from south of Beulah Lake toward Little Gunflint Lake; 2) structural protection in the Saganaga Lake area; and 3) securing the north end of the fire between Saganaga Lake and Spoon Lake.

The Cook County assessor has revised the initial assessment of structures lost in the first few days of the incident. One hundred, thirty-three (133) total structures were lost. Sixty-one were residences, 17 were commercial, and 55 were outbuilding and other structures. Their estimated value remains at $3.7 million. An estimated 200 residences and over 20 commercial operations remain threatened.

Estimated Acreage/ containment

Acres burned in both the United States and Canada: Estimated at 53,042 acres. 30,440 acres are in the United States; 22,602 acres are in Canada. Acreage is based on an Infrared flight yesterday (May 12). Containment is now estimated at 15%. There is no estimated date on full containment.

Resources on the Fire/Costs

Crews: 17 Helicopters: 6 Engines: 30 Water tenders: 3 Dozers: 7 Available upon Demand: Medium Air Tankers 3 Heavy Air tankers - 2 Personnel: 681

Costs to Date: $ 3,981,348 as of 1700 hours May 12.

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

The cautionary evacuation order for the area along the Gunflint Trail between Gunflint #1 (7401 Gunflint Trail) and Swamper Lake was lifted by the Cook County Sheriff yesterday morning. Also, the mandatory evacuation order for the area between Poplar Lake Fire Station and Voyageur Point (Cook County 85) was lifted. A mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for the west end Gunflint Trail (Cook County 85) and all roadways off of it to the north and west of Voyageur Point.

A public informational meeting will be held both this morning at 10:00 a.m. in Grand Marais, MN at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. A second informational meeting this evening will be held at the Poplar Lake Fire Station (Gunflint VFD #1) at 5:00 p.m., followed by a third meeting at 7:00 p.m.

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, suppression resources will be further securing and holding containment lines, and providing continued structural protection in the Gunflint and Loon lakes areas. Firefighters will use direct tactics to further secure the perimeter from Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake on the west side of the fire finger on the southeast flank of the fire. Direct line will be constructed south from Gunflint Trail to the south of Rush Lake. Also, line construction will be initiated from Gunflint Trail north past the east end of Mayhew Lake to Topper Lake on to South Lake on the east side of the fire finger. The latter will be coordinated with Canadian forces.

Fire weather

The fire should be active today. Surface runs associated with higher winds and occasional torching is expected. An approaching cold front will bring the chance of showers and thunderstorms tomorrow. Southeast winds ahead of the front will be gusty this afternoon. Temperatures today will be in the low 60s, with relative humidity around 40 percent. Winds will be southeast at 8-12 mph, gusting to 25 mph. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight. The front will pass through late Monday, ushering in a drier and cooler air mass. Gusty northwest winds will follow the front into Tuesday.

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.