The Highway 1 Fire south and east of Ely, Minnesota is between 130 and 150 acres.   The fire was threatening structures and an evacuation was put into effect for the area south of White St. and east of 5th Avenue in Ely. The evacuation order for areas within the City of Ely has been rescinded. Evacuations remain along Highway 1 south of the city. 

One outbuilding has been lost.

The initial response group included :  1-Sky Crane Helicopter, 1- Type 3 Helicopter, 4-CL215  Water Scoopers, 1- Air Attack Plane,  4- Dozers, 10- Fire Engines, 1- Strike Team of 5 engines , plus numerous fire deptments and agencies.

A Minnesota Interagency Incident Management Team is on it’s way to the incident, due to arrive 10 pm May 17.  Additional engines and dozers are on the way as well.  At this time Hwy. 1 is closed .

Community meeting:  8:30 pm, May 17, theater, Vermilion Community College.

A Type 3 MNICS Incident Management Team (IMT) — Tom Lynch, incident commander — has been prepostioned in the Northwest Angle, Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota. There are 25 personnel assigned along with a task force of engines and tracked vehicles.  This proactive action has been undertaken because of dry conditions and two large wildfires burning in Southeast Manitoba.

While prepositioned, the firefighters will complete an inventory of structures and residences located on the Northwest Angle and offer wildland fuel mitigation recommendations to residents in an effort to provide more defendable space around structures and better access for fire equipment. 

This firefighting group will remained assigned until wildfire conditions moderate in Manitoba.

Burning Restrictions:  There will be no burning permit activations today in Lake of the Woods County.  Although the DNR has lifted burning restrictions in most of the state, people must obtain burning permits for all open burning.  Permits require daily activation prior to burning, each day they are exercised.  DNR can prohibit activations when conditions warrent.  Fire conditions in northwestern Minnesota remain very dry, so activations are on hold.   The public is cautioned to use care while engaged in all outdoor activities that could start a wildfire.

PIO: Ron Sanow, 218-839-1504 (cell), Incident Command Post 218-386-1344, Ext 303

• Incident Start Date: April 8, 2012
• Containment: 100%
• Approximate Acreage: 1600 acres
• Personnel Assigned:        73
• Responsible Agency: State of Minnesota, DNR, Division of Forestry
• General Location: 3 miles South/Southwest of Nimrod Minnesota
• Legal Description of Start:       Section 13 Township 136 Range 34
• MNICS Incident Management Team – Mike Aultman, IC

DNR Forestry, Wadena Sheriff’s Department and fire departments from Sebeka, Verndale, Staples, Menahga and Wadena initially responded to the Jeep Fire on Sunday afternoon, April 8. These efforts were supported by a variety of air and ground resources. Initial attack and early suppression efforts were hampered by difficult access to portions of the fire, heavy fuel loading, strong gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low relative humidity.

Monday and Tuesday’s efforts focused on extinguishing areas of burning peat and mopping up all smokes within 150 feet of the fire perimeter. Fire Crews, assisted by two National Guard Black Hawk Helicopters, progressed rapidly. Cooler temperatures and calmer winds on Tuesday helped firefighters achieve full containment (mineral soil fire break around entire perimeter) on Tuesday afternoon, April 10^th.

Work to rehabilitate dozer lines began on Wednesday, April 11^th. Fire Crews continued to work on hot spots and smokes within 150 feet of the perimeter. A flight using a hand-held heat sensing device (Palm RI) was conducted to detect hot spots within the fire perimeter. Few were found.

Five structures were originally reported burned. Further reconnaissance deeper in the burned area on Wednesday uncovered three additional structures that also burned. The eight structures identified thus far include: a permanent residence with attached garage; three outbuildings associated with that residence; a mobile home being used as a hunting cabin; a portable camper; an outbuilding; and an outhouse.

No injuries to the public or firefighters have been reported. Safety is the top priority.

Plans are in place to transition the incident back to Park Rapids DNR Forestry Area on Friday afternoon.

Information Contacts

• ICP Information: 218-472-3667
• PIO Lead: Ron Sanow – 218-820-3141 (cell)

April 12 Plan:  Weather predictions for warming temperatures, with light wind gusts on Thursday afternoon, may increase the chance of spotting for new starts. The probability of ignition, especially in grasses, remains high. While all resources will remain committed to the fire, one tactical group including an engine, hand crew, dozer, and track vehicle will be available for initial attack elsewhere if needed.

April 11 Efforts:  Fire Crews continued to suppress areas of burning peat and mop up all remaining smokes within 150 feet of the fire perimeter. Having achieved 100% containment on April 10^th, rehabilitation of dozer breaks began.

April 10 Efforts:  Fire Crews made good progress suppressing areas of burning peat and mopping up smokes within 150 feet of the fire perimeter. Complete containment was achieved Tuesday afternoon. Evaluation of dozer break rehabilitation needs on private property began, in preparation for April 11efforts. Cool temperatures created obstacles for crews working with pumps and hose lays. No injuries to either the public or firefighters have been reported, which is always the number one objective. Fairly strong, gusty winds were observed but did not present a problem for containment efforts. Black Hawk Helicopters were available and released from the incident at the end of the shift.

April 9 Efforts:  Fire crews, aided by engines and air resources, made good progress towards the objective of mopping up all smokes within 150 feet of the perimeter breaks. The fire was contained within the dozed fire breaks. Two National Guard Black Hawk Helicopters were activated and worked throughout the day to cool hot spots. These helicopters have 660 gallon bucket capacity. Areas of burning peat were identified and early efforts taken to mop up. Strong, gusty winds challenged suppression efforts.

April 8 First Day Initial Attack Actions:  The Jeep wildfire was reported by the Nimrod lookout tower at 16:03 (4:03 PM). DNR Forestry, Wadena Sheriff’s Department and fire departments from Sebeka, Verndale, Staples, Menahga and Wadena battled the fire. These efforts were supported by 13 type 6 wildland engines, 9 dozers of various sizes, 5 all terrain track vehicles, 3 water bucket equipped helicopters and 3 CL-215 water scooping aircraft. Fire departments aided by helicopter drops protected structures, dozers built mineral soil fire breaks on highland areas, all terrain vehicles utilizing on board water suppressed fire in lowland areas and the CL-215’s dropped water on the flanks and the head of the fire. The suppression efforts were hindered by difficult access to portions of the fire and strong gusty winds.

Evacuations / Closures / Restrictions:  Evacuations were ordered during the early evening hours on April 8 to protect citizens in the path of the fire and to aid safety of responding firefighters. Currently there are no evacuations.

Property Losses:  Eight structures burned including:  a permanent residence with attached garage; three outbuildings associated with that residence; a mobile home being used as a hunting cabin; a portable camper; an outbuilding; and an outhouse.

Safety Message:  Citizens are reminded to respect burning restrictions and call 911 immediately if a fire gets out of control. Implementing “Firewise” tips can help rural homeowners protect their homes. www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/livingwithfire/index.html

Burning Restrictions:  All open burning is seasonally restricted with the exception of recreation fires that are contained within a receptacle designed for such fires. The public is reminded to be extremely cautious with any activities in the out of doors at this time that could start a fire, including cigarette smoking, cutting and grinding, and operating or parking ATVs and vehicles in tall grass.

Photo taken by Peter Willis, DNR Forestry

April 10, 2012 update

Jeep Fire News Release / Fact Sheet

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