John Ek & Whelp Fact Sheet for 8.29.2021

A public meeting will be held on Monday, August 30, at 6pm, at the Schaap Community Center, 7401 Gunflint Trail Grand Marais, MN 55604.

YESTERDAY: Light rain on the Gunflint Trail continued to hold the two fires in place. The John Ek Fire is estimated to be around 1,563 acres. Firefighters continued to record GPS points to establish helispots, spike camps, and drop points for future fire operations.  The Whelp Fire remains at an estimated 50 acres. Firefighters constructed fire line and installed hose lays. 

TODAY: Weather permitting, the 4-person reconnaissance crew on the John Ek fire will be flown out. Reconnaissance on portages around the John Ek Fire will be conducted to identify areas that will allow for safe access in and out, hose lays, and installation sites for sprinkler systems. On the Whelp Fire, weather permitting, attempts will be made to insert seventeen firefighters and equipment.  The thirteen firefighters on the Whelp Fire will begin mop up operations along the fire line. The infrastructure group continues to complete Firewise defensible space projects along the Gunflint Trail.  

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Morning showers are expected with a chance of scattered showers throughout the day. Gusty winds are possible. A front moving through the region will bring west-northwest winds from 15 to 30 mph. In the afternoon, humidity will begin to drop as dry air is pushed east across the northern part of the state.

SUMMARY: The John Ek and Whelp Fires were caused by lightning and are located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The John Ek Fire is 2.5 miles south of Little Saganaga Lake and extends from John Ek Lake to the SE corner of Elton Lake. The Whelp fire is five miles northwest of Sawbill Lake.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS:  The Upper Gunflint Trail (south side of Loon Lake west to the end of the Gunflint trail) remains in pre-evacuation status.  There are no mandatory evacuations in Cook County at this time. Homeowners in Cook County can sign up for the emergency alert system CodeRED at https://www.co.cook.mn.us/index.php/2016-04-14-15-58-03. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office recommends that residents and visitors be in “ready” mode in case of eventual evacuation.

CLOSURES:

• Superior National Forest lands and roads along the upper portion of the Gunflint Trail are closed due to fires in the vicinity and limited firefighting resources. The closure includes all forest lands and roads along Cook County 12/Gunflint Trail beginning at the Cook County 92 intersection to the end of the Gunflint Trail. Trails End and Iron Lake campground are in the closure area.

• Across Superior National Forest, there are several closure orders in place to protect public health and safety due to wildfires.  To see the full Forest order and other alerts go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

• A temporary flight restriction for aircraft is in place over the fire areas.

AIR QUALITY: For air quality alerts, see:  Air Quality Index webpage.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are in place for the Superior National Forest and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for areas within state jurisdiction Cook and Lake Counties and northern St. Louis County.  See Superior National Forest  Fire Restrictions Order and our Campfire Restrictions FAQ for more information.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.