Single Publication

Evergreen Forest Fire Update

Monday, October 21, 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: 10%                                                                     

Location: Pine City, MN  

Cause: Under investigation

Resources: 2 crews, 3 engines, 4 dozers, & 3 tracked vehicles 

Start Date: 10/17/2024    Total Personnel: 56

QR code for Inciweb Information

Current Status: Firefighting resources are beginning to mop up the fire, working on the fire’s perimeter to remove and extinguish burning vegetative material within 5-10 feet off the fire’s edge. Resources continue to secure containment lines to decrease the potential for fire spread. Leaf drop continues to occur, adding more fine vegetative fuel to the fire. Firefighters continue to monitor leaf drop, watching for burning vegetation that could blow across dozer and other containment lines. Fire behavior is smoldering and creeping. Firefighter and public safety remain the main priorities for the incident. Available aerial resources may be utilized if fire activity increases.

Closures: The DNR issued an Emergency Closure Order for public safety due to the fire. The closure area consists of the Chengwatana State Forest Road on the north, the St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway boundary to the east, the Snake River on the south and the full extent of the state forest west boundary. The area is closed to the public until further notice, including dispersed camping, hunting, recreational trail riding, hiking and other activities. The Snake River Campground, south of the Snake River, is unaffected by the fire and is open. Additional 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. Crews will continue to hold and improve the fire’s containment line as warm, dry, and windy weather continues. 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-Mostly sunny. High of 78. Minimum relative humidity 40%. Light winds becoming south 5-9 mph. Tonight-Partly cloudy turning to mostly cloudy. Low of 54. Maximum humidity 72%. South winds 6-9 mph. Tuesday- Mostly sunny then a chance of showers and thunderstorms as a cold front advances through the area. No severe storms are expected. 40% chance of precipitation around 0.1” or greater from thunderstorms. South winds 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 18. Air quality is forecasted for “good” for Monday and Tuesday. 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.