- Size: 167 acres
- Containment: 100%
- Detected: October 17, 2024
- Location: Chengwatana State Forest, 10 miles east of Pine City, MN
- Incident Management Team C (10.18.2024 – 10.25.2024)
- Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and mutual aid from Pine County Emergency Management.
Incident Overview
The Evergreen Forest Fire was detected late in the afternoon on Thursday, October 17, under extreme Red Flag weather conditions. The fire was located in the vicinity of the Chengwatana State Forest, east of Pine City, Minnesota. It was initially estimated at 140 acres burning in a remote area of the state forest’s lowland swamp and heavy timber. Upon improved mapping, the size of the fire was determined to be 167 acres.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) led the response, and initially received mutual aid support from the Pine City Fire Department during the initial attack response. Multiple aircraft capable of dropping water and fire retardant were utilized during the first 48 hours during daylight. The water and retardant drops helped cool and slow down the active fire flame edges. As a public safety measure, the DNR decided to temporarily close a portion of the Chengwatana State Forest from October 17 through November 1, 2024.
The area had been experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, and wildfires that developed during these conditions throughout Minnesota were requiring greater effort to control and extinguish. Due to the extreme fire danger, state-wide fire activity and extended attack effort involved with controlling the Evergreen Forest Fire, the DNR requested a Type 3 Incident Management Team (MNICS Team C) on October 18, 2024, to manage the fire and coordinate resources. Conditions progressively improved each day, though fall leaf drop added another layer of concerning fuel to the burned area. While the team was in place, multiple cooperating agencies provided support, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Pine County Sheriff’s Department, Pine County Emergency Management, Pine City Fire Department, and Chengwatana Township.
Due to beneficial rain and snow that fell over the burned area, and the control efforts of the firefighters, the DNR declared the fire 100% contained on October 31, 2024. The Chengwatana State Forest closure order was lifted on November 1, 2024.
You must be logged in to post a comment.