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Greenwood Fire Update September 14 2021

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Publication Type: News Tue, 09/14/2021 - 12:00

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS SIZE: 26,797 acres CONTAINMENT: 75% PERSONNEL: 311

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Minnesota Incident Management Team C assumed command of the Greenwood Fire today at 6:00 a.m. SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately ten miles southwest of Isabella. 14 primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23. The objective of fire management for the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources. YESTERDAY: The heavy equipment task force worked along Highway 1, chipping and placing larger logs and brush into burn piles. Firefighters pulled hose from the northwest corner of the fire. Crews patrolled and mopped up along the Highway 2 corridor, south to Greenwood Lake. On the fire’s edge southeast of Greenwood Lake, the Wildland Fire Module continues to work to find and extinguish hot spots. Firefighters found heat in the dozer berms and cooled those areas. Crews using heavy equipment continued their work around McDougal Lake, removing hazard trees and making it safe for property owners to return to their homes when the work is complete. TODAY: Containment will increase as firefighters continue to secure the perimeter. Fire crews are cleaning up along Highway 1 where the fuel break had been constructed. Crews will remove hose and use an excavator to mop up along Highway 2. Graders are being used to repair the road in the McDougal Lake area.
WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today there is a 20% chance of showers until 9:00. Skies will be mostly cloudy until noon, then mostly sunny. High temperatures will be from 67-71 with relative humidity between 40-52%. West winds will be from 2-11 mph, shifting to the northwest late in the afternoon with gusts up to 19 mph. Despite sunny weather, no fire movement is anticipated. SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic. Be alert for firefighters and fire equipment in the area and observe posted speed limits. Evacuation orders remain in place for the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property on Highway 1, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640. CLOSURES:

· Highway 1 is closed from the Highway 1 and Highway 2 intersection to Lankinen Road and only property owners with passes issued by the Sheriff’s Office may travel along the highway. Highway 2 is open to all traffic.

· National Forest System lands, roads and recreation areas are closed in the area of the Greenwood Fire to protect public health and safety. The closure area extends across the Kawishiwi, Laurentian, and Tofte Ranger Districts and includes several Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Entry Points. To see the full Forest order and other Forest closures, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are being evaluated daily and are currently 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 the Superior National Forest Fire Restrictions Order and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MN DNR Wildland Fire Information for more information.

Greenwood Fire Daily Update September 13 2021

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Publication Type: News Mon, 09/13/2021 - 12:00

GREENWOOD FIRE DAILY UPDATE - Monday, September 13, 2021
Public Information Line: 218-499-9441
Email: 2021.greenwood@firenet.gov
For all other fires on the Superior National Forest: 218-214-7844
Facebook: Superior National Forest

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS:
SIZE: 26,797 acres
CONTAINMENT: 67%
PERSONNEL: 309

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 will turn over command of the Greenwood Fire to the Type 3 Minnesota Incident Management Team C on Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.

SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately ten miles southwest of Isabella. 14 primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23. The objective of fire management for the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources.

YESTERDAY: Heavy equipment operators made progress along Highway 1 using chippers, soft tracked excavators and logging forwarders. Some heat was found in the northeast corner of the fire and crews worked to secure that area. Crews patrolled and monitored along the Highway 2 corridor. The Wildland Fire Module inserted Saturday southeast of Greenwood Lake continued mopping up any hot spots and securing that edge. Southeast of McDougal Lake, firefighters are working to extinguish any pockets of heat. Finally, on the northeast corner, firefighters supported by the J-5 tracked vehicles further secured the line there.

TODAY: The heavy equipment task force will be working along Highway 1, chipping and placing larger logs and brush into burn piles. Firefighters will continue pulling hose from the northwest corner of the fire. Crews will be patrolling and mopping up along the Highway 2 corridor and south to Greenwood Lake. On the fire’s edge southeast of Greenwood Lake, the Wildland Fire Module remains and will be working to find and extinguish hot spots. The eastern fire perimeter will be further secured, and firefighters will be supported by the J-5 tracked vehicles. Crews using heavy equipment will continue their work around Lake McDougal, removing hazard trees and making it safe for property owners to return to their homes when the work is complete.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Weather will be pleasant; however, a storm system will move through Monday night into Tuesday morning with a chance of showers. High temperatures will be in the upper 60’s, with minimum relative humidity near 46%. Winds will be NW at 5 mph with occasional gusts to 14 mph. Fire behavior will be minimal creeping and smoldering, with no growth expected.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic. Be alert for firefighters and fire equipment in the area and observe posted speed limits. Evacuation orders remain in place for the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property on Highway 1, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.

CLOSURES:

Greenwood Fire Public Meeting September 12 2021

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Publication Type: News Sun, 09/12/2021 - 12:00

Click on the link below to watch the Facebook broadcast of the Greenwood Fire Public Meeting on Sunday, September 12, 2021

Operational Briefing for Saturday September 11 2021

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Publication Type: News Sun, 09/12/2021 - 12:00

Click on the link below to watch the Operational Briefing for Saturday, September 11, 2021.

Greenwood Fire Daily Update September 12 2021

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Publication Type: News Sun, 09/12/2021 - 12:00

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS SIZE: 26,797 acres CONTAINMENT: 67% PERSONNEL: 356

ANNOUNCEMENT: A community meeting will be held this evening, Sunday September 12, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. It will be live streamed on the Superior National Forest Facebook page. In-person attendees are requested to adhere to current CDC COVID-19 guidelines regarding the use of masks, social distancing and handwashing.

SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately ten miles southwest of Isabella. 14 primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23. The objective of fire management for the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources.

YESTERDAY: Heavy equipment operators made good progress along Highway 1 using chippers, soft tracked excavators and logging forwarders. Some heat was found in the northeast corner of the fire and crews worked to secure that area. Crews patrolled and monitored along the Highway 2 corridor. A Wildland Fire Module, consisting of 9 firefighters, was inserted by boat into the fire area southeast of Greenwood Lake. That area is difficult to access and these firefighters will remain there for several days, mopping up any hot spots and securing that edge. Southeast of McDougal Lake, firefighters are using hoses to extinguish any pockets of heat. Finally, on the northeast corner, firefighters supported by the J-5 tracked vehicles further secured the line there.

TODAY: The heavy equipment task force will be working along Highway 1, chipping and placing larger logs and brush into burn piles. Firefighters will be pulling out 3 miles of hose from the northwest corner of the fire. Crews will be patrolling and mopping up along the Highway 2 corridor and south to Greenwood Lake. On the fire’s edge southeast of Greenwood Lake, the Wildland Fire Module will be working to find and extinguish hot spots. The eastern fire perimeter will be further secured and firefighters will be supported by the J-5 tracked vehicles. Crews using heavy equipment will continue their work around Lake McDougal, removing hazard trees and making it safe for property owners to return to their homes when the work is complete.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: A cooler high pressure will quickly move through the Great Lakes today with a slight increase in humidity as winds remain light. High temperatures will be in the upper 60’s, with minimum relative humidity near 42%. Winds will be NW at 5 mph with occasional gusts to 14 mph. Fire behavior will be minimal creeping and smoldering, with no growth expected.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic. Be alert for firefighters and fire equipment in the area and observe posted speed limits. Evacuation orders remain in place for the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property on Highway 1, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.

CLOSURES:

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are being evaluated daily and are currently 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. Superior National Forest: Fire Restrictions Order for more information. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.

Greenwood Fire Daily Update September 11 2021

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Publication Type: News Sat, 09/11/2021 - 12:00

Greenwood Fire information on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7805/
Public Information Line: 218-499-9441
Email: 2021.greenwood@firenet.gov
Media inquiries: 614-205-933
For all other fires on the Superior National Forest: 218-214-7844 - Facebook: Superior National Forest

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS: ACRES: 26,797 CONTAINMENT: 58% PERSONNEL: 359

ANNOUNCEMENT: A community meeting is planned for 6:00 pm tomorrow, Sunday September 12, 2021, at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. The meeting will be live streamed on the Superior National Forest Facebook page. In-person attendees are requested to adhere to current CDC COVID-19 guidelines regarding the use of masks, social distancing and handwashing.

SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately ten miles southwest of Isabella. 14 primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23. The objective of fire management for the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources.

YESTERDAY: Firefighters completed mop-up along the Highway 2 corridor and began picking up fire hose. They also finished mop-up operations on the southwest portion of the fire west of Greenwood Lake. East of Greenwood Lake, fire crews worked along the fire’s edge, cold-trailing and cooling any areas of heat with the assistance of water provided by J-5s. Hose-lays were installed across the railroad tracks to help fire crews cool hotspots in the southeast fire area. Chippers and heavy equipment with grapples piled debris along Highway 1 where the fuel break was constructed. In the McDougal Lake area, crews continued removing hazard trees and heavy equipment worked in the area.

TODAY: Crews will patrol and monitor the Highway 2 corridor along the north and west perimeter of the fire. A helicopter equipped with an infrared camera will be used to identify remaining heat east of Greenwood Lake and along the eastern fire edge. Fire crews can then navigate directly to those areas and extinguish the hot spots. Dozers and hand crews will build more direct line on the central portion of the eastern fire perimeter. Along Highway 1, heavy equipment will be working to pile debris created during construction of the shaded fuel break. These machines are also moving through the roadways in the McDougal Lake area as crews continue removing hazard trees.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: A cold front is moving through the area today through Saturday. Light rainfall and gusty winds of 20-25 mph may be observed. Fire behavior will be minimal creeping and smoldering, with no growth expected.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic. Be alert for firefighters and fire equipment in the area and observe posted speed limits. Evacuation orders remain in place for the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property on Highway 1, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.

CLOSURES:

· Highway 1 is closed from New Tomahawk Road to Lankinen Road and only property owners with passes issued by the Sheriff’s Office may travel along the highway. Highway 2 is open to all traffic.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are being evaluated daily and are currently 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. Superior National Forest: Fire Restrictions Order for more information. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.

In Depth Operations Briefing for Thursday September 9 2021

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Publication Type: News Fri, 09/10/2021 - 12:00

See attached link below:

Lake County Sheriffs Office Opens HWY 2 to all traffic

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Publication Type: Announcement Fri, 09/10/2021 - 12:00

Highway 2 in it's entirety is now open to all traffic. The following announcement is from the Lake County Sheriff's Office: "As of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021, the upper section of Highway 2 will reopen. Check-point passes will no longer be needed to drive on Highway 2, however, they will still be needed to drive on the closed section on Highway 1 (between the Highway 1 and Highway 2 intersection and Lankinen Rd). Please drive with caution and be aware that there are still fire crews working along Highway 2."

Greenwood Fire Update September 10 2021

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Publication Type: News Fri, 09/10/2021 - 12:00

Public Information Line: 218-499-9441
Email: 2021.greenwood@firenet.gov
Media inquiries: 614-205-9333
For all other fires on the Superior National Forest: 218-214-7844
Facebook: Superior National Forest

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS:
ACRES: 26,797
CONTAINMENT: 54%
PERSONNEL: 367

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has opened Highway 2 between Highway 11 and Highway 1 to all traffic. Be alert for firefighters and fire equipment in the area and observe posted speed limits.

SUMMARY: Started by lightning, the Greenwood Fire was detected on August 15, 2021, about 3:00 p.m. on the Laurentian Ranger District. The fire started approximately ten miles southwest of Isabella. 14 primary structures and 57 outbuildings were destroyed on August 23. The objective of fire management for the Greenwood Fire is full suppression using all available resources. The increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping.

YESTERDAY: Firefighters scouted along the Highway 2 corridor to extinguish any remaining pockets of heat. They further secured the southwest fire perimeter west of Greenwood Lake. Fire crews worked with the assistance of the J-5 tracked vehicle, which delivered water to support their mop up efforts on the southern portion of the fire. Firefighters used cold-trailing techniques to ensure that the central eastern hand line was cold and secure. Dozers were used to strengthen the northeastern fire corner near the Stony River grade. Along the Highway 1 corridor, fire crews cleaned up the debris from previous fuel break operations.

TODAY: Along the Highway 2 corridor, firefighters will continue their scouting mission for hot spots. On the southern and eastern fire perimeters, crews will patrol, mop up and further secure the fire edge with handline and heavy equipment as needed. The Highway 1 corridor will see crews using heavy equipment, including an excavator and a chipper. Property owners who travel along Highway 1 today will need to be alert for work crews on the roadway.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: High pressure building into the region will bring a warmer and drier air mass over the fire area with fairly light winds. Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid-70s with minimum relative humidity of 45%. A fast-moving cold front will move through the region on Friday night and early Saturday, bringing with it a chance for isolated rain showers. The fire will continue to creep and smolder with some increased smoke from the fire burning deep in the peat layer. No fire movement is anticipated.

SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: Evacuation orders have been lifted for homeowners except in the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640.

CLOSURES:

· Highway 1 is closed from New Tomahawk Road to Lankinen Road and only property owners with passes issued by the Sheriff’s Office may travel along the highway. Highway 2 is open to all traffic.

· A Forest Service closure order is in place to protect public health and safety due to the Greenwood Fire. It extends across the Kawishiwi, Laurentian, and Tofte Ranger Districts. On September 1 the closure order was updated to allow use of Stony Spur Trail and a portion of Prospector Loop Trail which allows ATVs to travel safely from Babbitt to Ely. To see the full Forest order and other Forest closures, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

· The Temporary Flight Restriction for aircraft was removed yesterday.

AIR QUALITY: Minnesota smoke outlook: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/Minnesota. Additional information for the rest of the state can be found at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/current-air-quality.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are being evaluated daily and are currently 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. Superior National Forest: Fire Restrictions Order for more information. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.

Greenwood Fire Daily Update September 9 2021

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Publication Type: News Thu, 09/09/2021 - 12:00

GREENWOOD FIRE QUICK FACTS: ACRES: 26,112 CONTAINMENT: 49% PERSONNEL: 387 ANNOUNCEMENT: Yesterday, the Superior National Forest reduced fire restrictions on the forest, allowing campfires in most fee campgrounds. For further information visit the Forest’s website https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior.

YESTERDAY: Fire crews patrolled and mopped up the fire perimeter along Hwy 1, Pitcha Creek Road and Hwy 2. Hand crews, assisted by heavy equipment, continued building fire line on the southern edge of the fire working east and west of Greenwood Lake. On the eastern fire perimeter, hand crews and track vehicles improved line and searched for hot spots.

TODAY: Heavy equipment will clean up along the northern fire perimeter on Hwy 1 and Pitcha Lake road. On the west side of the fire, crews continue patrolling and monitoring the Hwy 2 corridor. Hand crews will complete containment lines and mop up west of Hwy 2 to Greenwood Lake with the assistance of track vehicles. East of Greenwood Lake, crews will construct line and look for heat interior to the fire perimeter. Dozers will assist crews east of McDougal Lake road, locating and addressing any hot spots. The majority of remaining heat is in the northeast corner of the fire, where fire is burning deep in the peat layer.
WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Warmer temperatures and lower relative humidity may allow some open flames to develop. Overall, fire behavior will continue to be dominated by creeping, smoldering, and burning in the peat layer. The rain received on the fire area has not been enough to penetrate into the peat soils, allowing fire to persist there. Gusty winds are subsiding and warm, sunny conditions will continue through Friday. SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: Evacuation orders have been lifted for homeowners except in the McDougal Lake area. For information about getting a checkpoint pass to access your property, call Lake County Dispatch, 218-510-0640. CLOSURES:

· Hwy 1 is closed from New Tomahawk Rd to Lankinen Rd. Highway 2 is closed between Highway 1 to Highway 11. Only residents/seasonal cabins with passes issued by the Sheriff’s Office may travel along these highways.

· The Temporary Flight Restriction for aircraft was removed today.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are being evaluated daily and are currently 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. Superior National Forest: Fire Restrictions Order for more information. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.

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