Single Publication

Evergreen Forest Fire Update

Wednesday, October 23, 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: 70%

Location: Pine City, MN                

Cause: Under investigation

Resources: 1 crew, 3 engines, 1 dozers, & 7 tracked vehicles 

Start Date: 10/17/2024    Total Personnel: 49

The next Evergreen Forest Fire Update will be on Friday, October 25, 2024

Current Status: Firefighting resources continue mop up on the fire, making good progress on the fire’s containment status. Resources continue to secure containment lines to decrease the potential for fire spread. Firefighters are monitoring leaf drop and suppressed a small reburn from leaf drop in the interior of the fire. Fire behavior is mostly smoldering and creeping but can increase when it creeps into unburned leaf, grass, or brush vegetation. Light and spotty precipitation fell over the fire yesterday afternoon. Firefighter and public safety remain the main priorities for the incident. 

Closures: An Emergency Closure Order remains in effect 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-Sunny. High of 53 with dropping humidity levels. Northwest winds 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph, shifting westerly at 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight- Mostly clear, then mostly cloudy. Low of 39. Southwest winds 5-10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph. Tomorrow- Showers likely in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy. High of 57. Southwest winds 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between 0.1” and 0.25” is possible. Air quality is forecasted for “good” for Wednesday and Thursday. 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.