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A 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 remain a primary priority.

The Jenkins Creek Fire received only trace of rain yesterday and no lightning occurred over the fire.  In contrast, the Horse River Fire received up to one-quarter inch of rain with lightning.

Crews on the Jenkins Creek Fire located and suppressed three sources of heat within the northern half of the fire. Crews in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness located two sources of heat within the Horse River Fire yesterday and successfully secured these areas of heat.

Jenkins Creek Fire Quick Facts

Size: 16,091 acres                               Containment:94%                 Personnel:204

Light rain occurred over the northern half of the fire, but was likely insufficient to increase fuel moisture enough to significantly moderate fire behavior. Unmanned Aerial System (UAS/drone) missions to improve mapping of the Jenkins Creek Fire perimeter and to locate residual areas of heat will continue today. Winds in the late afternoon yesterday precluded the use of aircraft. No additional sources of heat were detected in the southern half of the fire. A culvert was replaced yesterday as part of the effort to repair roads impacted by suppression efforts. Grading of the 113 and 120 roads has been completed, grading of the 420 Road will continue today. Trees weakened by bug-kill, the fire, and yesterday’s winds, will require crews to exercise caution today as they return to the fire. We refer to falling trees and limbs as ‘hit-by-hazards’ and are a persistent risk to crews on the fire. The on-going focus of today’s operations will be to patrol, monitor, and secure those areas of heat that the UAS crews have identified over the last several days.

Horse River Fire Quick Facts

Size: 13 acres                                      Containment: 0%                   Personnel: 24

The Horse River Fire was relatively quiet yesterday. Yesterday, the Wildland Fire Modules working in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness located and suppressed two areas of heat on the Horse River Fire. The crews will continue to improve the mapping of the fire’s perimeter. The plan for today’s operation will be to continue to methodically work their way across the body of the fire, locating any residual heat and working those areas to thoroughly extinguish any remaining heat on the fire. Crews will continue to map the perimeter of the fire.

Fire Weather & Behavior:  Though we received rain in the early evening hours yesterday, anticipated thunderstorm activity was light. No lightning strikes occurred over the Jenkins Creek Fire last night. The Horse Creek Fire received up to one-quarter of an inch of rain accompanied by lightning. Today’s weather will be mild, with temperatures only approaching 70 degrees, light winds with gusts to 15 mph in the afternoon, and  humidity ranging between 35 – 40%. The cooler temperature are likely to moderate fire behavior.  Though we will see another drying trend beginning tomorrow, the outlook is for a continued period of moderate weather that should allow crews to make additional progress in suppressing the Jenkins Creek and Horse River fires.

Driving Hazards: Driving is a crucial part of wildland fire suppression, frequently requiring firefighters to navigate unimproved roads with various pieces of equipment. Distracted driving is the primary source of vehicle accidents for all of us, firefighters and the public alike. The dominant source of distraction is mind wandering. As we let our thoughts steer our attention away from the road we’re traveling, we are all likely putting ourselves and others at risk. Emergency vehicles added to local roads are an additional distraction.  Please, stay alert, don’t get hurt.