Ten years ago the Ham Lake Fire was burning down the forest, taking some cabins and other buildings with it but due to early warning no people were killed in the massive blaze. An exhibit will open this summer at Chik-Wauk Museum that tells the story of the Ham Lake fire and the people who fought it.
The new temporary exhibit, “2007 Ham Lake Fire” at the Chik-Wauk Museum on the Gunflint Trail will open to the public during Memorial Day weekend. The exhibit commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Ham Lake Fire, which burned 75,443 acres in Minnesota and Ontario, Canada, making it the second largest fire in Minnesota since 1918 (Pagami Fire in 2011 at 93,000 acres).
The fire burned from May 5-12, 2007.
One hundred thirty-three total structures were lost in the first few days of the Ham Lake Fire on the Minnesota side. Sixty-one were residences, 17 commercial, and 55 were outbuilding and other structures. The estimated value of lost buildings from Cook County Assessor’s Office was $3.7 million. Many residents lost cherished family cabins. As the fire grew and spread nearly the entire Gunflint Trail area was evacuated to Grand Marais.
A strong sense of community formed
In Grand Marais evacuees gathered for meetings at the school and Community Center, and at Bethlehem Lutheran Church to share meals.
The Chik-Wauk exhibit tells the stories of the Ham Lake Fire. A panel designed by Split Rock Studios in Arden Hills, Minn., displays the fire progression map and photographs. Using a tablet device, visitors to the museum are able to listen to WTIP Community Radio audio interviews and view Good Measure Media’s Ham Lake Fire video. An electronic photo frame shows photographs received from the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, Cook County, local residents, and others. Journals documenting Ham Lake Fire experiences are available in printed format.
An extension of this exhibit includes the installation by the USDA Forest Service of a Ham Lake Fire interpretive sign at the Gunflint Lake/ Magnetic Lake Overlook and parking area.
An exhibit grand opening celebration for this temporary exhibit is planned for July 2, 2017. The exhibit is made possible by a generous grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation and contributions from the Gunflint Trail Historical Society, Gunflint Trail Association, and Visit Cook County.
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