Single Publication

Wood Lake Fire Update

Date: September 16, 2024 Size: 27 acres Containment: 25%
Cause: Under Investigation-Human Caused* Start Date: September 10, 2024

Fire Information:
Inciweb page: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-wood-lake-fire

Closure Information
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The fire update will switch to every other day unless there is a change in fire activity.

Current Status and Resources: The fire received little precipitation overnight. Firefighters continue to reinforce the fire’s containment line. Fire activity is minimal, smoldering and burning into the duff layer. Firefighters continue to suppress the fire, monitor containment lines, and use aircraft to cool the fire when conditions warrant. The National Preparedness Level remains at 5.

Planned Actions: The current crew of firefighters will transition tomorrow to a new incident commander. Resources continue to strengthen existing lines on the east and southeast sides utilizing minimum impact strategies and tactics. Additionally, firefighters continue to analyze contingency planning around the Moose Lake area, planning that wider perimeter area around the fire.

Closures: The Superior National Forest will be adjusting the Emergency Closure Order #09-09-24-07 for the public’s health and safety due to the Wood Lake fire within the vicinity of recreation areas. Beginning at 12:01 am, Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Wind Lake travel corridor lakes and portages will be lifted off the closure. An updated Exhibit A-List of Closed Areas and Exhibit B-Closure map will be released for the closure adjustments. For the safety of firefighting resources, no drones are allowed near the fire area and are illegal in federally designated wilderness areas.

Weather and Smoke: Today-Partly sunny with a high near 80. 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Calm southern winds around 5mph, gusting up to 15mph with any storms. Overnight-A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 pm, otherwise mostly cloudy. Low of 62. South winds around 5 mph. Tuesday- chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance after 1pm. Mostly sunny, high of 79. South wind 5-10mph, gusts of 20mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Overall air quality in the Ely area will be GOOD today. Wildfire smoke from Canada is possible in the area. https://www.airnow.gov/and https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast

Fire Summary: On September 10, 2024, around 11:00 a.m. a fire was detected on an island of Wood Lake, located north of County Road 18, within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of the Superior National Forest. The fire is located in T64, R10, S26 on National Forest System land. An Emergency Closure Order is in effect for 19 locations including BWCAW Entry Point 27-Wood Lake.

 *Superior NF law enforcement staff are requesting any information into the start of the fire. Please email the Superior NF Tipline at SM.FS.SUP-tipline@usda.gov, Superior NF Webpage Tipline. Thank you for your assistance.