A community roundtable discussion in Ely today to help identify how best to help northeastern Minnesota businesses impacted by the wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Forestry and law enforcement officials say recent rain has helped dramatically in containing the fires and allowing more areas to reopen, while some business owners will be looking for state help to get back on their feet.
"It's really hard to listen to your friends say I have four employees," State Representative Roger Skraba says. "Do I let them go now? What do I do? I got big shoulders and I can handle a lot, but sometimes it's just overbearing. It's just so much, and I think when we share it, it's easier to walk the walk."
Skraba estimates the hit to local businesses at the height of their tourism season could reach $100 million.
That's why state lawmakers and locals gathered to navigate the tremendous financial losses due to the BWCA wildfires.
Local law enforcement says containment is going well, but Cook County Sheriff Ben Mallberg says the situation has been extremely difficult on his department and the community as a whole.
"It's been a struggle the last couple of weeks, whether we're making the right decision to keep areas closed, whether to reopen them," Sheriff Mallberg explains. "Obviously my position, number one is public safety. I can tell you every night I would question whether I'm making the right decision or not, lose sleep over it."
State lawmakers from the area are working on legislation to provide some financial help to those impacted.
