Single Publication

Evergreen Forest Fire Update

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

MNICS Team C - Incident Commander-Mike Hill & Trainee-Ryan Williams 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnmns-evergreen- forest

Fire Information: 218-432-0953, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Email: 2024.evergreenforest@firenet.gov

Fire Quick Facts

Size: 167 acres         Containment: 20%

Location: Pine City, MN                

Cause: Under investigation

Resources: 2 crews, 3 engines, 1 dozers, & 5 tracked vehicles 

Start Date: 10/17/2024    Total Personnel: 61

Current Status: Firefighting resources continue mop up on the fire, making good progress along the fire’s edge and working inside the fire perimeter. Natural and dozer-created containment lines are being used. Resources continue to secure containment lines to decrease the potential for fire spread. Firefighters are monitoring leaf drop and watching for burning vegetation that could blow across containment lines. Fire behavior is smoldering and creeping. Firefighter and public safety remain the main priorities for the incident. Aerial resources are available if fire activity increases.

Closures: The DNR issued an Emergency Closure Order for public safety due to the fire. Public are asked to not enter the closure area for safety due to firefighting operations. Closure information is available on the Inciweb page and the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) website: https://mnics.org/wpress/dnr-temporarily-closing-a- portion-of-chengwatana-state-forest-due-to-wildfire/

Planned Actions: Firefighting resources will continue to mop up along the fire’s perimeter, working inward to extinguish any hot spots. Resources will monitor and suppress new smoke or hot spots from fallen leaf litter. Though terrain and access to the fire has been challenging, tracked equipment is being used to traverse the difficult terrain. 

Background: The Evergreen Forest Fire was reported on October 17, 2024, on the Chengwatana State Forest, 10 miles east of Pine City, MN. The fire is burning actively in hardwood timber with leaf litter, on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managed land. 

Fire Weather Forecast & Air Quality Info: Today-Partly sunny early, then rain showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. High of 71. Minimum relative humidity 51%. South winds 6-12 mph, shifting to the west in the afternoon. Chance of gusty and erratic winds near thunderstorms. Tonight- Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and thunderstorms. Low of 36. Maximum humidity 93%. Northwest winds 10-13 mph with gusts up to 23 mph. Wednesday- Sunny and cooler. High of 50. Northwest winds 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 20. Air quality is forecasted for “good” for Tuesday and Wednesday. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air- water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast

Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and mutual aid from Pine County Emergency Management.