Update: A new map is up at MNICS, dated as 0900 5/11.
Update: Perimeter map as of 2200 5/10:
(click to enlarge)
Closeup of SE corner:
(click to enlarge)
MNICS text update as of 9:00 AM 5/11:
Driven by strong west winds yesterday, the fire made an estimated 13 miles run to the east in the area north of Gunflint Lake on the Canadian side of the International Border. Late yesterday afternoon, winds shifted to the north-northwest, pushing the fire south toward Gunflint Narrows. Strong winds caused the fire to burn actively, with torching and crown fire runs. The fire crossed the Narrows areas, making an estimated 12 mile run to the southeast, burning across the Gunflint Trail (Cook County Road 12) and through the Iron Lake Campground. At last report late yesterday evening, the head of the fire was an estimated 2 miles wide, moving southeast toward the Poplar Lake area. There was no growth on the north, west, or southwest flanks of the fire. No structures have been reported lost; however, an assessment is currently underway by emergency personnel. An estimated 200 residences and over 20 commercial operations remain threatened.
In preparation of the expected wind shift, a burnout operation was conducted by firefighters late Wednesday afternoon west of Gunflint Lake. This burnout was critical in fire suppression operations, preventing the fire from moving into the Gunflint Lake Lodge area. Fire suppression forces are now focusing on structural protection for homes and businesses on Gunflint, Loon, and Poplar lakes, and along the Gunflint Trail.
The State of Minnesota is currently at Planning Level 4. Multiple fires are being reported around the state. Equipment and crews continue to arrive on the Ham Lake Fire. Unseasonably warm weather and drought conditions have created extreme fire conditions in northern Minnesota.
...
Fire spread to the west and east toward residences and resorts is a major concern for fire suppression forces. The priority for suppression resources is now further securing and holding containment lines, and continued structure protection in the Gunflint, Loon, and Poplar lakes areas, and along the Gunflint Trail west of Poplar Lake. Aviation resources will continue to be utilized.
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Wow. It's being reported this morning that the Ham Lake fire has grown to over 55,000 acres, 30,000+ on the US side and at least 25,000 acres on the Canadian side. Reports as late as Wednesday had the burned acreage in Canada at around 200-250. West winds whipped the fire around the north side of Gunflint Lake and that prompted an additional evacuation order for the Gunflint Trail west of the Poplar Lake Fire Hall. About half of the trail is now under a mandatory evacuation order and a cautionary evacuation notice has been issued for an additional 10 miles towards Grand Marais. Roughly 3/4 of the trail is now closed to the public. Most if not all access to the BWCA from the Gunflint has been closed.
As of this morning there are no updated maps of the perimeter at MNICS or Inciweb.org, nor is there any updated text info since yesterday afternoon. On the bright side, if there is one, from what I can tell mop up operations and firefighting efforts around Seagull and Round Lake are going OK. It also sounds like they held the perimeter on the west side of Gunflint Lake with a lot of effort. It's the northeast/east perimeter of the fire that is most dangerous as of this morning.
The NWS forecast for the area today:
MNZ012-120015-
NORTHERN COOK/NORTHERN LAKE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ISABELLA
404 AM CDT FRI MAY 11 2007
.TODAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 58 TO 63. NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH BECOMING EAST 10 TO 20 MPH...THEN BECOMING NORTH 5 TO
10 MPH LATE IN THE AFTERNOON.
.TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 30 TO 35. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
That east wind might not be a bad thing if it blows the fire back into itself. We'll have to see what officials say this morning and what develops during the day. If I get updates today I'll post them here.
This was posted earlier at the Tuscarora news blog:
The word this morning from Poplar Lake (mid trail—Hungry Jack Outfitters). The sky is blue, the smoke has lifted—a beautiful day. It appears to be a beautiful day to get some of the campers out of the woods near there. Jim Holz and Jim Colbert from the Iowa State group are camped near Poplar Lake---I’m sure they’ll come out reluctantly on this beautiful blue day—with the east wind blowing the fires/smoke away from them.
They are posting regularly there.
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