Moderated fire behavior continues on the Pagami Creek fire with cooler temperatures, higher humidities, and lighter winds. Operations personnel are making significant progress on both the northern and southern perimeters. Firefighters attacked the northwestern corner and pushed east along the northern perimeter. On the western flank, a crew began constructing line starting at Clearwater Lake and working toward the northwest. Sprinkler systems were installed on two portages. The southern divisions mopped up a small spot fire south of Bog Lake. Outside the wilderness, bulldozers were used to clear line and engine crews supported hand crews. A large spike camp has been established near Isabella. Additional fire restrictions go into effect today (see below).
The Pagami Creek Fire has been burning in the Ely area since it was detected on August 18. The wildfire was started by a lightning strike and has been creating clouds of smoke over the northland. Unfortunately, in addition to the smoke, the fire began spreading rapidly on September 12. According to the U.S. Forest Service Superior National Forest Spokesperson Lisa Radosevich-Craig on September 12 the fire became a plume-driven event with a finger of the fire making an "unprecedented 16 mile run to the east," reaching the edge of Polly Lake. By September 14, the fire had grown to 100,000 rivaling the 1918 Cloquet fire.
There are numerous Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and disbersed campsites in the surrounding Superior National Forest closed to visitors and homes and businesses in Lake County have been evacuated as a precaution.
For up to the minute information, visit the incident website for up-to-date information on closures – www.inciweb.org/incident/2534
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