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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 remains a primary priority.

Crews will begin developing contingency lines in the vicinity of the 420 Road in the north and northwest areas of  the Jenkins Creek Fire.  As additional equipment becomes available, contingency lines will be developed to the southeast along the 425 Road and the Bundle Lake Road.

As we enter the weekend, there is a strong possibility that thunderstorms late Saturday night, and additional showers Sunday will bring rain to the areas of the Horse River Fire and the Jenkins Creek Fire. 

Jenkins Creek Fire Quick Facts

Size: 16,145 acres                               Containment:94%                 Personnel: 201

Continued Unmanned Aerial System (UAS/drone) flights resulted in the location of four hotspots inside the fire perimeter yesterday. Crews located and suppressed one hot spot.  The remaining three hotspots contained no heat when located. The improvement of contingency lines in the northwest area of the fire along the 420 Road began in the north and northwest areas of the fire.  A large commercial masticator, which is a machine capable of grinding large woody material, is being used to reduce ground surface fuels in the vicinity of the 420 Road.  As additional masticators become available, fuel reduction will be initiated along the 425 Road and the Bundle Lake Road to the southeast. Crews will continue to monitor and address any sources of heat as they patrol the perimeter of the fire. As new mapping data from the UAS and ground crews becomes available, acreage of the fire will be adjusted.

Horse River Fire Quick Facts

Size: 13 acres                                      Containment: 75%                 Personnel: 26

Cooperation from the weather, and continued efforts to identify and suppress sources of heat has resulted in gains in containment on the Horse River Fire. The fire is now considered to be 75% contained.  After an extensive gridding process, crews in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness were unable to locate any active heat within the perimeter of the Horse River Fire for the fourth consecutive day.  Today, equipment used by the crews will be removed by helicopter and crews will paddle out of the area. 

Fire Weather & Behavior:  We can expect cloud cover today, occasional showers, and relative humidities within the range of 45 to 50%. These are conditions that will continue to moderate fire behavior. A solid line of thunderstorms will reach the area in the middle of the night on Saturday.  Winds may gust to 40 mph. This storm is likely to bring  ¼” to ½” inch of rain to the area of the fires. Rain is likely to occur over the area Sunday, as well. 

Winds and Fire Behavior: Wind is one of the most powerful influencers of fire behavior and dictates the primary direction of fire spread. Wind supplies additional oxygen to a wildfire, leading to more rapid and intense burning. This can result in hotter flames, greater fuel consumption, and even the formation of fire whirls or firestorms. It can also carry embers and burning debris over long distances, creating new fires ahead of the main fire front, a phenomenon known as “spotting.” Strong winds are capable of throwing embers a mile or more in distance. The combination of strong winds, smoke, and intense heat can jeopardize the safety of firefighters, limiting their ability to directly engage with the fire.