Officials of the U.S. Forest Service have updated the status of three fires burning in the Superior National Forest.
As of Aug. 31, the waterways, portages and campsites of the South Arm of Knife Lake are open to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness paddlers. There are no campfire restrictions other than the usual ones: small fires only within Forest Service grates and attended.
The Knife Lake fire has burned 188 acres. The fire is north of the South Arm of Knife and south of Amoeber Lake. Forest Service spokesperson Becca Manlove said firefighters have successfully suppressed a fire that was in an unsafe and inaccessible location by bringing it out to natural barriers. Manlove said containment is at 100 percent.
The Knife Lake fire will be declared controlled when a band of ground 150 feet wide from the control line is mopped up. Ten Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa firefighters left the site Aug. 30 after providing three days of work. Other crews left the following day, and two remain to complete mop-up and patrol of the line.
Two other fires have been declared as out: The Disappointment Lake fire, which was discovered Aug. 24, burned a quarter of an acre; and the Sedative Lake fire, which burned three-tenths of an acre, was called out Aug. 31.
Although the North Shore has received some rain in recent days, conditions can change quickly and as always, people are reminded to use fire with caution. Always use designated campfire rings and take extra care—and lots of water—to completely extinguish campfires when leaving, even for a short while.
To find out about fire conditions in Cook County, call the U.S. Forest Service Gunflint District office in Grand Marais at (218) 387-1750 or the Tofte District office at (218) 663-7280 or visit www.dnr.state. mn.us for the latest information.
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