Superior National Forest officials say conditions are good this autumn to set small, intentional fires intended to burn away dead trees and other debris that could fuel much larger wildfires.
Fires were scheduled to start today, if winds are light enough and it doesnât rain.
The fires are planned for:
- Coo Lake North, a 19-acre area on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake. The project area is surrounded on three sides by water and a control line has been established on the south side.
- Bear Island Lake Island Unit, a 121-acre site on the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake.
- Kangas Burn Unit, a 99-acre site south of Blueberry Lake Road (St. Louis County Road 120) south of Little Lake.
- Pine Ridge Unit, a 90-acre site north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake.
Crews will decide which unit to burn based on weather and other conditions. The intentional fires shouldnât impact normal uses of the forest, although visitors may see and smell smoke. All Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points and Superior National Forest trails are expected to remain open. There will be increased fire boat and fire engine traffic due to fire operations.
For more information, call (218) 365-7600 or go to fs.usda.gov/superior.
