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A National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team is managing the Jenkins Creek and Horse River fires under a full suppression strategy. Ensuring public and firefighter safety remain a primary priority.

Crews in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness continue fire suppression efforts on the Horse River Fire.

We have experienced several days of drying conducive to the development of active fire behavior. That trend will continue today and will be pronounced on Monday when we experience high temperatures well into the 80s with winds gusting to over 20 mph. 

Jenkins Creek Fire Quick Facts

Size: 16,091 acres                               Containment:94%                 Personnel:188

Aided by the daily intelligence gained from the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS/drone) infrared flights over the perimeter of the fire, crews successfully located and addressed sources of heat on the east flank of the fire in the vicinity of Colvin Creek and to the northwest in the vicinity of the 420 Road. Crews were aided by helicopter water drops in the northwest area of the fire. Crews will revisit this area today to ensure that these areas of heat are secured.  Crews evaluated a report of a visible smoke in the southern portion of the fire and will return to the area today. Crews continued hazard tree removal in the area of the Cadotte Campground and will continue that work today. Infrared drone flights will continue to be used over the Jenkins Creek Fire perimeter to detect locations of residual heat. This information is used to strategically direct crews to hotspots so as to minimize their exposure to hazards within the fire footprint. Chipping operations have been completed along the 113 Road; grading to repair the road surface will continue today.

Horse River Fire Quick Facts

Size: 15 acres                                      Containment: 0%                   Personnel: 22

The two Wildland Fire Modules that have been inserted into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness have begun active suppression of the Horse River Fire. Water handling equipment, consisting of blivets, which are 75 gallon heavy duty vinyl water storage bags, and backpack bladder bags were transported by helicopter to the crews to aid their suppression efforts. Because the fire has moved slowly across the forest floor in patches and fingers, which are difficult to detect from the air, the crews will spend considerable effort seeking sources of heat. Yesterday, the crews located an approximately one acre fire separate from the Horse River Fire. Today, the modules on the fire will continue the methodical work to detect and secure remaining sources of heat throughout the area of the Horse River Fire. Though there are certainly still sources of heat within the fire, yesterday a crew member described the fire this way: “This actually is exactly what we want – a natural ignition, natural spread and movement, and it naturally put itself to bed.”

Fire Weather & Behavior:  The drying trend we experienced yesterday will continue today. Monday’s fire weather conditions will become hotter, dryer, and windier, testing suppression efforts with temperatures near 90 degrees, relative humidity in the mid-20s, and wind gusts that will approach 25 mph. There remains a chance of wetting rain on Tuesday, June 3rd, that may moderate the fire behavior that we are likely to experience today and Monday. The smoke alert issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency remains in effect until 6:00 PM Monday, June 2nd.

Fire Danger and Burning Restrictions: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources rates the fire danger in the vicinity of the Jenkins Creek and Horse River fires as “very high.”  Burning restrictions are in place that allow for campfires, but no open burning. As we enter Monday, which will bring hotter, dryer, and windy weather, we will have had multiple days of drying conditions that are conducive to active fire behavior. Please stay alert, exercise caution in the out-of-doors.