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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.

The Horse River Fire is 100% contained and all firefighters and firefighting equipment has been removed for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Management of the fire was handed back to the Superior National Forest this morning at 7:00am.

A line of thunderstorms moved across the fire area late last night with winds gusting to 40 mph. Sunday will continue to 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: 205

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS/drone) flights resulted in the location of four hotspots inside the fire perimeter yesterday. The efficiency and precision of this equipment was evident when crews ground truthing one of the hotspots tracked the heat signal to a cow moose and her calf.   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.  Mastication will continue to reduce ground surface fuels in the vicinity of the 420 Road. Additional masticators are expected to arrive the beginning of the week to assist with fuels reduction along the 425 Road and the Bundle Lake Road to the southeast. Crews are scouting ways to tie in ground surface fuels reduction efforts between the Canadian Northern Railroad and the 420 Road along the northwestern perimeter of the fire. 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: 100%               Personnel: 0

The Horse River Fire is now 100% contained and all crew equipment and firefighting equipment has been removed from the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area. Crews paddled the seven miles out of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the landing at the paved highway at Echo Trail. The fire was transferred back to the Superior National Forest. This is the last report for this fire.

Fire Weather & Behavior:  A solid line of thunderstorms reached the fire area late Saturday night. This storm is likely to bring  ¼” to ½” inch of rain to the area of the fires. Light rain is likely to occur over the area Sunday with thunderstorms but not as strong as those on Saturday night. Rain continues through Sunday and into Monday. These conditions will continue to moderate fire behavior.

Steps Taken When Taking Down Remote Campsites in the Wilderness: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System that offers visitors the opportunity to experience undisturbed public land maintained in a natural state, free from roads and buildings, and other artificial structures. Firefighters follow strict protocols for how to manage fires in the Wilderness, from how to travel in and through the wilderness, how to camp and perform daily operations, and how to leave it when firefighting efforts are finished. Steps firefighters take when vacating a site include removing flagging from access and travel trails, rehabilitating campsites and thoroughly inspecting the camp areas for litter and any refuse.