Greenwood Fire started by lightning strike spreads to over 7 square miles
The Greenwood Fire is burning near Greenwood Lake in the Superior National Forest, prompting evacuations for those who live or have cabins in the area. (FOX 9)
ISABELLA, Minn. (FOX 9) - The U.S. Forest Service confirmed Thursday a lightning strike ignited the Greenwood Fire currently burning in the Superior National Forest.
The fire has now grown to 4,750 acres, which is close to 7.5 square miles. Forest Service officials are worried about enhanced weather conditions feeding flames in the rugged, hard-to-access forest. The forecast shows potential for thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday, which they will closely monitor.
"We might get some wetting rains, but it’s nothing to help with this fire, put out this fire at all," Larry Bickel, a spokesperson said. "We’re just going to watch the wind change. That’s the key with us."
Aircraft, heavy equipment and structure protection crews increased their fire suppression efforts on Thursday to hold the fire east of the highway, according to officials at incident command.
Planes collect water from nearby lakes to fight Greenwood Fire in Superior National Forest
Firefighting efforts continue for the Greenwood Fire in the Superior National Forest in Minnesota's Arrowhead region. Planes dive down into Sand Lake to collect water and drop it on the flames. At last check, the wildfire had grown to 2,000 acres.
Additional resources arrived on Thursday to fight the fire on the front lines, including the Tatanka Hotshots—a 20-person Forest Service crew from the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
"We use hand tools, dig lines, chainsaws. We cut line, do back burn operations. If the fuel is burned, it can’t travel any further," said William Briggs, a member of the Tatanka Hotshots.
A public meeting will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center auditorium in Finland. Officials are expected to discuss the forest closure, evacuations and provide an update on fire suppression efforts. The meeting will be streamed live on the Superior National Forest Facebook page.
Evacuations ordered
The fire is threatening homes, cabins, homes and recreational sites. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for McDougal Lake, Sand Lake, the Highway 2 corridor and just north of Highway 1. Lake County Emergency Management has a Red Cross shelter up and running at the Finland Community Center for those who are displaced or unable to reach their homes due to the fire and related road closures.
As of Tuesday, the sheriff’s office had evacuated around 80 people from the area.
A resident took this photo of the Greenwood Fire as they were driving out of the area late Wednesday afternoon. (FOX 9)
Road, forest closures
Hwy. 2 is closed from Forest Highway 11 to Hwy. 1. Hwy. 1 is closed from New Tomahawk Road to Lankinen Road.
A Forest Service closure order is in place across areas within the Kawishiwi, Laurentian and Tofte Ranger Districts and a small portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The order affects all lands, waters, trails, portages, canoe routes, BWCAW entry points and recreation sites within the closure area. However, private property owners can access private property.
Air quality alert issued
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert effective until 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, for the inland portion of Lake County. The affected area includes Stony River Township and Fall Lake Township.
According to the MPCA, smoke will continue to impact areas near and immediately downwind of the fire to the north and northeast through at least Friday as the fire continues to burn. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the Orange AQI category, a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, for the affected area.
Additional fires
Several additional fires are burning in the Superior National Forest.
Due to the Whelp Fire, which is four miles northwest of Sawbill Lake, the Forest Service is closing portions of the BWCA including Hub Lake, Mesaba Lake, Dent Lake, Chaser Lake, Bug Lake, Louse Lake, Louse River, Poe Lake, Mug Lake, Wine Lake, Frederick Lake, Hug Lake, Duck Lake, Zenith Lake, Trail Lake, Boze Lake, Frond Lake, Lujenida Lake and all other lands, waters, portages and canoe routes in that area.
At only 15 acres, the Whelp Fire is small compared to the Greenwood Fire. However, no firefighting crews have been sent in due to difficult access and safety concerns. Planes are continuing to drop water on the fire from above, which has kept it contained to its current footprint.
There are also several fires burning across the Minnesota-Canada border in Quetico Provincial Park, which the Forest Service said have the potential to spread into Minnesota near Crooked and Iron Lakes. BWCAW permits in the Crooked Lake and Iron Lake closure area have been canceled until Aug. 27.