HAM LAKE FIRE

UPDATE

Great Basin Incident Management Team 1

May 15, 2007, 6:00 AM

Current Status

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

Sunday night's rainfall and higher humidities allowed forces to significant gains in the fire suppression effort on the American part of the Ham Lake Fire. There was also no significant growth in the fire perimeter on the U.S. side. The south, the southwest, and the west flanks of the fire continue to hold. Significant direct-line progress was completed on the south flank of the fire finger from the Iron Lake area to Gunflint Lake. The west side of this flank did move some to the west toward Bedew Lake; however crews were able to get containment lines around the bulge. Crews worked spots and installed hose lays on Three-Mile Island in Sea Gull Lake.

The northern flank in Canada has grown significantly in size yesterday, increasing by almost 13,000 acres. Canadian forces continued to focus on three geographic areas: 1) east flank, where a burnout is tentatively planned for today 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. Structural loss and other assessments continue on both sides of the U.S./Canada border.

One hundred, thirty-three (133) total structures valued at $3.7 million were lost in the first few days of the incident in the U.S. Sixty-one were residences, 17 were commercial, and 55 were outbuilding and other structures. An estimated 200 residences and over 20 commercial operations remain threatened.

There have been 14 structures confirmed lost in Canada.

Estimated Acreage/ containment

Acres burned: 74,814 acres. 36,443 acres are in the United States; 38,371 acres are in Canada. Containment is now estimated at 20% for the entire fire; U.S. estimated at 50%. Projected containment date: May 20, 2007

Resources on the Fire/Costs

Crews: 32 (6 Canadian) Helicopters: 13 (7 Canadian) Engines: 66 Water tenders: 3 Dozers: 8 Available upon Demand: Medium Air Tankers 3 Heavy Air tankers - 2 Personnel: 1,091 (includes Canada) Costs: $5,975,656 Note: All figures as of 1700 hours May 14.

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 west end Gunflint Trail (Cook County 85) and all roadways off of it to the north and west of Voyageur Point.

Public informational meetings will be held today in Grand Marais, MN at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. An informational meeting will also be held at the Poplar Lake Fire Station (Gunflint VFD #1) at 5:00 p.m. These meetings will continue on this schedule for the foreseeable future unless announced otherwise on WTIP Radio, the local Grand Marais FM station.

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 continue to utilize direct suppression tactics, further secure containment lines, provide structural protection, and begin mop-up operations from Ham Lake east to South Lake, including the fire finger from Gunflint Lake to South Lake. Crews will continue direct line construction from Gunflint Trail north past the east end of Mayhew Lake to Topper Lake to the Canadian border on the east fire flank. Crews will continue to construct direct line south from the Gunflint trail to the south of Rush Lake. Also, crews will put in hose lays, hold, and mop-up from Round Lake to Fay Lake, and contain and mop-up a spot over in this area. On the northwest flank, crews will be doing structural protection and patrol on the islands on Saganaga Lake and preventing fire spread on Three Mile Island in Sea Gull Lake. Efforts will be coordinated with Canadian forces. Approximately two dozen engines and several dozers will be released sometime today.

Fire weather

A passing front is ushering in a drier and cooler air mass today. Northwest winds will follow the front today. It will be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers. Winds will be 8-14 mph. Temperatures will be in the high 50s; humidity will be in the low 40s. Cooler temperatures are expected this evening.

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. Please note the new Ham Lake Fire Information Center number is 801-413-0589. 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.