DULUTH, Minn. — Editor's Note: The video above first aired on June 6, 2023.
Ground crews are working to put down a wildfire burning in the heart of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) while suppression aircraft drop thousands of gallons of water from above.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) says the fire was detected late Tuesday afternoon between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake, just east of heavily-used Knife and Kekekabic Lakes and south of Seagull Lake about 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail.
Aerial crews went up to observe and estimated the wildfire at 30 acres and growing. Personnel recorded what they call "active and moderate" fire activity burning in a forest with aspen, pine and balsam fir. The crew said there is also evidence of trees affected by Spruce Budworm affected trees (both down and still standing) which can encourage active fire behavior.
On Wednesday, float planes transported ground fire crews to the area to begin containment efforts while planes and helicopters scooped water from BWCA lakes and dropped it on the fire. Progress was visible, and as of Wednesday night, the wildfire was estimated at 20 acres with "low fire behavior."
KARE 11's Jennifer Hoff learned that a 20-person wildland fire crew called the "Pike Hotshots" from Colorado will arrive within days to help with suppression efforts. They will be outfitted with canoes because the fire is burning in an area where motors are not allowed.
The Superior National Forest will be imposing closures and travel restrictions in the area near the fire for public safety. Public safety crews will sweep the closure area to move visitors to safety and post portages that are being closed.
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