The St. Louis County Sheriff is giving an update on conditions amid ongoing wildfires in northeastern Minnesota, and it's relatively good news for the first time in two weeks.
Sharing the update in a post on social media, Sheriff Gordon Ramsey says cooler weather and light drizzle have provided temporary relief for roughly 800 firefighters battling wildfires in the area.
He says that is allowing fire perimeters to remain more stable.
"I think we fared well the last couple of days, given the potential for those fires to expand," Ramsey explains. "So, with that said, there is no changes to the ready-set-go status."
He says official evacuation zones will stay strictly enforced as authorities continue to monitor conditions with Ramsey warning that property owners will likely need to wait at least 48 hours before they might be able to check in on their land.
A wave of higher humidity, low temperatures, and light morning rain along the Echo Trail has provided crucial assistance to emergency crews managing local blazes, however. Ramsey says local teams plan to re-evaluate safety conditions over the next 48 hours to determine when - or if - property owners can start the clean up process.
"I realize that many of you that have property here are wondering, would like to remove items or check on them," he adds. But that will not be happening for the next few days at least. The fire conditions are still very tender."
The U.S. Forest Service still has the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closed to the public through at least this Friday.
That's with nearly two dozen wildfires burning in the Superior National Forest. Even though there was progress made in containing those fires, they have consumed more than 63,000 acres. Three new fires were detected Sunday.
"These fires are going to be on the landscape for quite some time," says Nick Petrack, fire management officer for the Superior and Chippewa National Forests. "August is usually one of our hottest months where our burning period is extremely long. That's one of our warmer months. So, we're doing everything we can for the next few days. We're hoping for precipitation just like everybody else, but I want to be clear that just because we get through this hurdle, we have a lot of fire on the landscape, and we still have a long season ahead of us."
Petrack says there are very important instructions for the public in that area.
"The public is being asked to support firefighters and public safety by adhering to evacuations, adhering to closures, and fire restrictions. We really are expressing our need for people to restrain, refrain from flying drones and aircraft in those areas."
The Minnesota DNR also implemented new burning restrictions across several northern Minnesota counties Monday which prohibit campfires or recreational fires, and prescribed burning on private lands. But across the entire state, you are required to have a permit at this time.
“Recent precipitation has not been enough to improve extremely dry conditions,” said Mike Warnke, DNR wildfire administration supervisor. “We need the public’s help to prevent additional fires. One spark can cause a catastrophic wildfire.”
Current fire restriction map for Minnesota.
(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Restrictions
- Campfires or recreational fires are not allowed.
- No burning permits will be issued except for special exceptions issued by the state or federal agency having suppression responsibilities.
- Prescribed burning on private lands is prohibited.
- Fireworks may not be used outside of municipalities. Use of fireworks within a municipality remains under the municipality’s control.
- Welding, acetylene torches, or other devices with open flame are prohibited in proximity to combustible vegetation, except under special permits.
- Only gas or propane camp stoves may be used in the backcountry or at campsites.
- Charcoal fires are allowed, in a grill designed for that purpose, at occupied homes, cabins and resorts.
