John Ek and Whelp Fire update

As of September 7, the John Ek fire is zero percent contained, but the 1,357- acre fire has shown little growth over the last few days.

Fire crews have completed contingency lines on three sides of the fire (on the north side from Gabimichigami Lake to Tuscarora Lake; on the east side from Little Saganaga Lake to Dent Lake; and to the west side from Little Saganaga Lake to Pan Lake.) If the fire becomes active again, the contingency lines will be used as necessary, including conducting burnouts along the and/or turning on sprinkler systems adjacent to those lines. In addition, structure protection crews are still doing Firewise work (assessing structures, removing debris, and thinning fuels near hoes) on the south side of the Gunflint Trail, from Poplar Lake to Round Lake and Tuscarora Lodge.

The Whelp Fire is fifty acres and is considered zero percent contained. It burns five miles northwest of Sawbill Lake and southeast of the John Ek Fire. On Sunday, September 5, crews completed contingency lines along the south side of the fire from Phoebe Lake to the Sawbill Campground. Fire managers continue to use air resources to monitor the fire.

Cooler weather and rain are expected to contribute to low fire spread, although the fires are expected to creep and smolder in deep duff and heavy fuels.

While there are currently no mandatory evacuations in Cook County, the public should continue to monitor the status of the fires as conditions can change quickly.

Homeowners in Cook County can sign up for the emergency alert system CodeRED at www.co.cook.mn.us./index.php.2016-04-14-15-58-03.

Fire restrictions are in place for the Superior National Forest, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for areas within state jurisdiction, as well as Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties.