Single Publication

Evergreen Forest Fire Update

Friday, October 25, 2024

MNICS Team C - Incident Commander-Mike Hill transitioning to MN DNR Incident Commander-Randy West

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

Email: 2024.evergreenforest@firenet.gov

Fire Quick Facts

Size: 167 acres         Containment: 90%

Location: Pine City, MN                

Cause: Under investigation

Resources: 1 crew, 3 engines, & 6 tracked vehicles 

Start Date: 10/17/2024    Total Personnel: 47

Command of the fire transitions back to the MN DNR today. Next Update will be next week. 

Current Status: Today at noon, command of the fire will transition back to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Firefighting resources have mopped up 150 feet from the fire’s perimeter and will continue to hold, secure, and reinforce containment lines. The fire is smoldering in timber, logging slash, brush and leaf litter. Firefighters are monitoring leaf drop for potential spotting across containment lines. Firefighter and public safety remain the main priorities for the incident. 

Closures: An Emergency Closure Order for all recreation activity remains in effect through the weekend and likely longer to ensure public safety and support firefighting operations. The closure area includes the Chengwatana State Forest Road. Closure information is available on the Inciweb and MNICS website: https://mnics.org/wpress/dnr-temporarily-closing-a- portion-of-chengwatana-state-forest-due-to-wildfire/. 

Planned Actions: Resources will continue to hold and secure containment lines. Firefighters will continue mop up along the fire’s perimeter, working inward. Resources will monitor and suppress new hot spots or areas of concern from newly fallen leaf litter. 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, a chance of sprinkles after 1pm, then mostly sunny. High of 56. Breezy, northwest wind 5-9 mph, with gusts up to 21 mph. Tonight-A chance of sprinkles before 1am, otherwise partly cloudy with a low of 28. Northwest wind 5-6 mph, becoming light. Tomorrow-Sunny. High of 50. Winds from the southwest will change to the south 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 15 mph.  Air quality is forecasted for “good” for Friday and Saturday. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air- water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast

Air Operations: Aircraft are available and may be brought in to help support firefighting efforts. A reminder - flying drones over the fire is prohibited. If drones are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. All media requests, including video, must be coordinate through the Incident Contact listed on the Inciweb page. 

Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Pine County Sheriff’s Department, Pine County Emergency Management, Pine City Fire Department, and Chengwatana Township.