Single Publication

Spice Lake Fire Fact Sheet

June 17, 2023                   8:00am

MNICS Team B- Incident Commander-Aaron Mielke

Fire Information: 218-248-7240 (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Email: 2023.spicelake@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-news/mnsuf-spice-lake-fire

Superior National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/superior

Date Detected: June 13, 2023

Current Size: 20-30 acres 

Containment: 30%

Summary: Late in the afternoon on June 13th, a wildfire was detected between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Gunflint Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. Spice Lake is located east of Knife and Kekekabic Lakes and southwest of Seagull Lake, approximately 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Current Status: Yesterday, fire activity was minimal with occasional torching, creeping and smoldering burning in mixed timber and brush. Fire crews made good progress by constructing fire line around the northern fire area and starting to mop up by extinguishing hot spots along the fire’s edge. Firefighters also worked the middle fire area by locating a natural barrier to the east and burning out the unburnt vegetation to create a natural fire line. In addition, firefighters worked on direct line around the western fire area and started installing firehose to support mop up operations. Objectives are to mop up 15 feet in from the fire perimeter to get started and extend that up to 100 feet in a few days. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority.

Planned Activity: Crews will continue to work on constructing direct containment lines to minimize the fire from spreading to the north and east. Firefighters will extinguish hot spots, working up to 100 feet from the fire’s edge by installing more fire hose and putting water on the fire. Air resources will continue to be used to patrol the fire and additional aircraft are available if needed to reduce fire growth to the north, northeast, and east.

Closure Area: The Superior National Forest has implemented Forest Order (09-09-23-03) for a closure area of lakes, portages, and trails around the fire for public safety. Public safety crews are redirecting visitors and posting portages closed. Details can be found at Superior National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).

Burning Restrictions: The Superior National Forest has implemented Forest Order (09-09-23-03) for a closure area of lakes, portages, and trails around the fire for public safety. Public safety crews are redirecting visitors and posting portages closed. Details can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

Cooperating Agencies: National Park Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.