Current Status: Fire crews continued to work directly along the fire’s perimeter yesterday. Weather conditions helped to moderate fire activity with clouds and higher humidity levels. No growth was observed around the fire. The fire area received ¼ of an inch of rain on Thursday night. An infrared heat detection flight was done on Friday morning and a map created for crews to use on the ground to find hot spots along the fire’s edge. On the northwest and northeast sides crews continued to work on hot spots and secure the edge of the fire. The fire affected areas around private structures continued to be monitored and crews extinguished any pockets of heat. Fire activity was minimal along the southwestern side. Firefighters also continued to work along the southeast side to cool off hot spots and mop up along the uneven fire edge as needed.

Planned Actions: Suppression and mop up activities will continue with crews and equipment along the northwest and northeast sides of the fire. Suppression repair work is planned for a few areas along the Moose Loop Road where parking areas had been created during the fire response. On the southeast and southwest sides, which are located within the Wilderness, firefighters will patrol and monitor the fire perimeter watching for hot spots. Helicopter bucket water drops will be used to cool off areas of heat along the edge of the fire as needed.

Weather: On Saturday, there is a chance of rain in the afternoon. Temperatures will be 75-83 and southwest winds 5-10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Winds may shift to the west later in the day.

The Superior National Forest has a Closure Order in place for Forest Road 464 (Moose Loop), Forest Road 465, BWCAW Entry Point #8 Moose River South, BWCAW Entry Point #76 Big Moose Trail.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is currently a TFR in place for air space over the Bezhik Fire (FDC 1/8653) due to fire aviation operations. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Cooperating Agencies: Morse-Fall Lake Township Fire Department, St. Louis County Emergency Management, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia MN Fire Department EMS, U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Size: 950 acres and 80% contained.

Resources assigned:  3 Engines, 3 type 1 Crews, 1 helicopter, and miscellaneous overhead.

Operations: Today, firefighters worked to hold, patrol, and improve firelines as well as cold-trail (identify remaining smoldering fuels and extinguish them) as needed.

With the increase in containment, the incident has begun to release resources and make them available to assist with other fires throughout the southwest. Resources will remain on scene until the fire reaches full containment.  This will be the final update unless significant activity occurs.

For public and firefighter safety, please avoid traveling near the fire area.

Current Advisories: There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area which includes drones.  More information can be found at https://www.faa.gov/

Closures and Evacuations: None in place currently.

More Information:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoNF/
Twitter @CoronadoNF

Operations: The management objective is full suppression while focusing on public and firefighter safety with an emphasis on protecting existing infrastructure and private property.  Today, Crews strengthened and improved handlines around the fire perimeter. Fire spread potential is currently low with some interior pockets of heat that may produce smoke. Resources assigned to the Warsaw Fire include:  3 Engines, 5 type 1 Crews, 4 helicopters, 2 air attack, and miscellaneous overhead. 

For public and firefighter safety, please avoid traveling near the fire area. 

Current Advisories: There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area which includes drones.  More information can be found at https://www.faa.gov/

Closures and Evacuations: None in place at this time.

More Information:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoNF/
Twitter @CoronadoNF

Size: 1,210 acres and 30% contained
Vegetation: Short grass and brush
Resources assigned: 5 Type 1 Crews, 3 engines, 2 Very Large Airtankers (VLAT), 2 Large Air Tankers (LAT), 4 Helicopters, 2 Air Attack, 2 Lead planes, and miscellaneous overhead.

Operations: The Warsaw Fire is 100% full suppression. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain and crews are going direct where they can do so safely.  Aircraft is being utilized for retardant and water bucket drops to slow fire spread. Crews on the ground are working to build handline and conduct firing operations to remove vegetation ahead of the advancing fire.  These tactics will help to slow and stop further spread.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for air space over the Warsaw Fire. This is also called a TFR and it is the responsibility of any pilot to reference this TFR before planning their flight. More information can be found at https://www.faa.gov/
 
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t.  Flying Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters as a result of an aircraft collision. The TFR ialso applies to the operation of drones. In addition, if an un-permitted drone is spotted over a fire, any aircraft working on the fire will be grounded until the drone has left the area or has been accounted for. This could result in fires growing larger and hampering firefighters' ability to protect lives, property and natural cultural resources. For more information visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org and https://www.nifc.gov/drones/.

Closures and Evacuations: None in place at this time.

More Information:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoNF/
Twitter @CoronadoNF

 The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest along with our partners completed the prescribed fire at Moquah Barrens today. Fire resources will remain on site monitoring the burn for the next several days. 

 The smoke forecast for the prescribed fire at Moquah Barrens today can be found at 2021_05_17-07.52.42.036-CDT.pdf (nwcg.gov). 

Washburn, Wis., May 17, 2021— The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is planning to conduct a prescribed fire today on about 1,500 acres of the Moquah Barrens north of Ino.  The project will reduce wildfire risk, improve wildlife habitat and promote native plant species.

Prescribed fires, also known as prescribed burns, involve tactical application of fire under specified weather conditions. In coordination with federal, state and local partners, highly trained and experienced fire personnel carefully plan well in advance and closely monitor conditions throughout a burn project.

“We assess wind, humidity, smoke dispersion and surface moisture before igniting any fires,” said Mike Mattmiller, fire management officer. “We expect to complete the burn today, as conditions allow, then monitor the site for another few days.”

Prescribed fire is one of the management techniques that the forest uses to restore the unique pine barrens ecosystem at Moquah Barrens, a type of savannah that includes large open areas, scattered trees and a diversity of grasses and wildflowers. As the ecosystem evolved over time, naturally occurring wildfires and burning done by indigenous communities were key to maintaining the area’s biological integrity. During the prescribed fire, crews will use a variety of aerial and ground ignition techniques to simulate such fires and best support pine barrens vegetation.

Air quality is an important consideration in managing prescribed fire. Burn plans comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During on-site test burns and throughout a prescribed fire operation, fire personnel monitor smoke dispersal to protect public health and general air quality.

The area involved in the upcoming prescribed fire is surrounded by other National Forest lands. However, smoke will be visible from a good distance and may impact visibility in neighboring communities. Fire personnel will monitor the smoke and increase traffic signage, road guards, detours and public outreach as needed. 

The area of the upcoming prescribed fire is bordered by Forest Road 449 to the north, Forest Road 406 to the east, Forest Road 241 to the west and national forest lands to the south. More detailed information about the fire is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7488/. 

More information about the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is available on the forest's website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/CNNF or through social media on Facebook and Twitter.

Final Update for the Doagy Fire – June 3, 2021

Location:  Northeast of Beaverhead Administrative site; near Doagy and Corduroy Canyons, Catron County, NM.

Start: May 14, 2021                                                      Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation: Timber with grass understory      Containment: 100%

Resources: 15 personnel, including two Type 6 engines

Summary:  The Doagy Fire is burning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest. The Doagy Fire was ignited by lightning and reported on May 14. The fire acreage is at 12,785 acres and is 100% contained. The fire started near Doagy Well in Doagy Canyon of the Gila National Forest. Crews patrolled, monitored, and improved fire lines.

INCIDENT OBJECTIVES: Ensure firefighter and public safety. Reduce and minimize fire impacts on private and state lands, utility and private infrastructure and values at risk, minimize to the extent possible, the smoke impacts to communities, critical local travel corridors and state highways, On federal lands, maintain fire and its natural role on the landscape where it aligns with suppression objectives.

FIRE BEHAVIOR: Fire behavior was minimal yesterday and was predominately creeping, and smoldering. There are numerous unburned pockets of fuel within the interior that will continue to smolder and produce smoke until significant moisture is received.

WEATHER: Expected fire weather is warm and occasionally breezy with mid teen to low twenties humidity’s through Sunday with chances of showers and Thunderstorms each day. There will be a drying trend starting Sunday through early next week with lower humidity’s and temps around 5 degrees above normal. Winds will remain below critical thresholds for fire weather warnings or red flag alerts.

AIR QUALITY: Smoke impacts to residents living near the fire area is extremely minimal, however smoke from the Johnson Fire can settle in the evening and early morning.  Air quality monitors can be viewed at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap USFS 1054 is located at Beaverhead Work Center and USFS 1036 is located in Truth or Consequences.  Please see the New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire for guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged o take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  

SAFETY:  The Gila National Forest is currently under Stage 1 Fire Restriction, including the use of charcoal grills. Use of pressurized fuel devices with an on/off switch are acceptable.  For more information visit the Gila National Forest website under Alerts and Notices.