John Ek Fire
- Size: 1,357 acres
- Detected: August 14, 2021
- Location: Superior National Forest, within the BWCAW, 2.5 miles south of Little Saganaga Lake
- Incident Management Teams:
- MNICS Team C, led by Incident Commander Jim Edgar (8/24 – 8/26)
- Eastern Area Gold Team, led by Incident Commander Brian Pisarek (8/27-9/1)
- Northern Rockies Team 4, led by Incident Commander Mike Almas (9/2 -9/11)
The John Ek fire was detected late in the day on August 14, resulting from a lightning strike. The fire was located within a remote portion of the BWCAW on the Tofte Ranger District, approximately two and a half miles south of Little Saganaga Lake.
Whelp Fire
- Size: 50 acres
- Detected: August 14, 2021
- Location: Superior National Forest, within the BWCAW, four miles northwest of Sawbill Lake
- Incident Management Teams:
- MNICS Team C, led by Incident Commander Jim Edgar (8/24 – 8/26)
- Eastern Area Gold Team, led by Incident Commander Brian Pisarek (8/27-9/1)
- Northern Rockies Team 4, led by Incident Commander Mike Almas (9/2 -9/11)
The Whelp fire, also a result of lightning, was detected on August 14 four miles northwest of Sawbill Lake, within a remote portion of the BWCAW on the Tofte Ranger District. The Superior National Forest issued a closure order for the area impacted by the Whelp fire on August 17.
Aircraft remained the primary resource for suppression. Persistent drought along with gusty wind conditions contributed to the growth of both fires. The John Ek fire reached 1,357 acres, while the Whelp fire grew to 50 acres in size. Float planes were used to sweep the area for potential forest visitors.
On August 24, the Superior National Forest decided to order a MNICS Type 3 Incident Management Team to assume management of both fires. The first of several public meetings was held on August 25, at the Tofte Town Hall.
A crew of 14 firefighters made their way into the Whelp fire on August 26, and a reconnaissance crew was sent into the John Ek fire on August 27. The goal for the crews was to establish communication with the Incident Command Post and identify safety zones, helispots and areas that could be utilized for spike camps.
MNCIS Team C transitioned management of both fires to the Eastern Area Gold Team on August 27. The Eastern Area Gold Team remained in command of the Greenwood, John Ek, and Whelp fires through September 1, when they transitioned the management of all three fires to the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3.
A spike camp was set up on September 1, and crews worked on improving portages to the John Ek fire, as hose lay started and sprinkler system sites were installed. Structure protection along the south side of the Gunflint trail began, and contingency lines were constructed on the south side of the Whelp fire from Phebe Lake to Sawbill Campground.
The Superior National Forest announced On September 9, the plans to scale back closures within the BWCAW associated with the John Ek and Whelp fires. Areas that remained closed were still serving as basecamp and staging areas for firefighting personnel. The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 transitioned management of both fires to the Superior National Forest on September 11.
Fire crews prepare tools and equipment for aircraft transport into the BWCAW. Photo retrieved from the Superior National Forest Facebook post on August 27, 2021. 
Access into the remote wilderness made firefighting a challenge on both the John Ek and Whelp fires. Transport by helicopter was one means of access. Photo retrieved from Superior National Forest Facebook page on August 27, 2021. 
The John Ek Fire left its three-acre footprint and grew rapidly to 1,500 acres on August 20, 2021. Photo retrieved from Superior National Forest Facebook on August 21, 2021. 
Aerial view of the John Ek from the observation flight flown on August 23, 2021. Photo retrieved from the Superior National Forest Facebook post on August 23, 2021.