{"id":20727,"date":"2021-09-01T12:49:19","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T17:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/?page_id=20727"},"modified":"2022-01-14T13:28:25","modified_gmt":"2022-01-14T19:28:25","slug":"oxcart-fire","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/left-sidebar-menu\/incident-information\/minnesota-incidents\/2021-incidents\/oxcart-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxcart fire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021_Oxcart_InformMap-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021_Oxcart_InformMap-1-1024x661.png\" alt=\"topographic map with yellow dot and orange boundary line\" class=\"wp-image-20880\" width=\"476\" height=\"307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021_Oxcart_InformMap-1-1024x661.png 1024w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021_Oxcart_InformMap-1-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/2021_Oxcart_InformMap-1.png 1225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>The Oxcart fire identified by the yellow dot and orange boundary line. Map retrieved from InForm.firenet.gov.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Size: <\/strong>12,907 acres<\/li><li><strong>Detected<\/strong>: March 29, 2021<\/li><li><strong>Location<\/strong>: Red Lake County, Minn., within the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, west of Mentor, Minn.<\/li><li><strong>Incident Management Team<\/strong>: MNICS Team A, Incident Commander Ernest Schmitt<\/li><li><strong>Cooperating agencies<\/strong>: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>During the late afternoon hours of Monday, March 29, 2021, a wildland fire was detected within the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, approximately seven miles west of Mentor, Minnesota. Red flag conditions, including strong gusty winds, unseasonable warm temperatures amid prolonged moderate drought conditions (building since the fall of 2020), contributed to the rapid progression of the Oxcart fire. The fire consumed 12,907 acres of grassland and brush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Initial attack response included ground wildland fire crews from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota DNR, and 12 local fire departments, along with five single-engine air tankers, a large air tanker, and a helicopter. Smoke and the rapid-fire progression prompted the temporary closures of U.S. Highway 2, State Highway 32, and Polk County Highway 45 during the evening hours as the fire jumped the U.S. Highway 2 corridor to the north, and State Highway 32 to the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Minnesota Incident Command Team, led by Incident Commander Ernest Schmidt, was requested to assume management of the Oxcart fire on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The team coordinated the operational, planning and logistical support of managing the fire crews and equipment supporting the containment efforts of the fire. Spring weather conditions brought a mix of blustery conditions, rain, and freezing temps. During periods of freezing temperatures, the use of helicopter buckets could not be utilized due to equipment icing over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The team remained in command of the fire through Saturday, April 2, 2021, when they transitioned management of the fire to a smaller local fire organization. Throughout the 2021 wildfire season, lingering pockets of peat soil heat continued to manifest within the burn scar area as conditions progressed toward extreme drought. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitored the burn area throughout the season, extinguishing the heat pockets as they were identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"2016\" alt=\"night scene with orange flames in a field\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20743\" data-id=\"20743\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03292021_mondaynight-fire_Matt-Tomoson_FWS-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03292021_mondaynight-fire_Matt-Tomoson_FWS-1.jpg 1512w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03292021_mondaynight-fire_Matt-Tomoson_FWS-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03292021_mondaynight-fire_Matt-Tomoson_FWS-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03292021_mondaynight-fire_Matt-Tomoson_FWS-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Oxcart fire activity continued into the night, burning through many acres of the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" alt=\"Kiosks stand between burned and unburned field.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20737\" data-id=\"20737\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_Glacial-Ridge-NWR-After-burn-by-refuge-kiosk_Langeberg-scaled.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_Glacial-Ridge-NWR-After-burn-by-refuge-kiosk_Langeberg-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_Glacial-Ridge-NWR-After-burn-by-refuge-kiosk_Langeberg-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_Glacial-Ridge-NWR-After-burn-by-refuge-kiosk_Langeberg-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_Glacial-Ridge-NWR-After-burn-by-refuge-kiosk_Langeberg-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_Glacial-Ridge-NWR-After-burn-by-refuge-kiosk_Langeberg-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">The Oxcart fire moved swiftly through Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, backing down to smoldering hotspots by morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"756\" height=\"1008\" alt=\"Heavy smoke plume rises into the sky.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20728\" data-id=\"20728\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/032931_smoke-monday-afternoon_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/032931_smoke-monday-afternoon_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS.jpeg 756w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/032931_smoke-monday-afternoon_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 756px) 100vw, 756px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Building drought conditions mixed with a lack of snow and a warm, windy front allowed the Oxcart fire to spread rapidly. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" alt=\"Aircraft drops water on smoky area next to farm equipment.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20731\" data-id=\"20731\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Air-tanker-dropping-W-of-Rovers-office_20210329-5.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Air-tanker-dropping-W-of-Rovers-office_20210329-5.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Air-tanker-dropping-W-of-Rovers-office_20210329-5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Air-tanker-dropping-W-of-Rovers-office_20210329-5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Air-tanker-dropping-W-of-Rovers-office_20210329-5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Aircraft, like the Fire Boss dropping water near farm equipment and buildings, helped slow the rapidly growing Oxcart fire. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"232\" height=\"293\" alt=\"A Fire Boss aircraft drops water at sunset.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20729\" data-id=\"20729\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03292021_monday-night-plane_Matt-Tomoson_FWS.jpg\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Aircraft remained on scene until sunset, adhering to safety protocols. Ground crews remained throughout the night. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"756\" alt=\"Firefighter climbs truck as helicopter hovers over lake.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20733\" data-id=\"20733\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03302021_ff-with-engine-and-helicopter_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03302021_ff-with-engine-and-helicopter_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS.jpg 1008w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03302021_ff-with-engine-and-helicopter_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1008px) 100vw, 1008px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">The rapid transition from warm temperatures to freezing temperatures with scattered snow showers made mop up work with helicopter bucket drops on the Oxcart fire a challenge.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" alt=\"Firefighter next to engine faces helicopter with bucket\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20734\" data-id=\"20734\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop-w-engine_Ryan-Williams_FWS-scaled.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop-w-engine_Ryan-Williams_FWS-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop-w-engine_Ryan-Williams_FWS-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop-w-engine_Ryan-Williams_FWS-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop-w-engine_Ryan-Williams_FWS-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop-w-engine_Ryan-Williams_FWS-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Cooling hotspots with helicopter bucket drops continued the next several days as cold temperatures allowed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" alt=\"Helicopter releases water from bucket over a field and trees.\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20735\" data-id=\"20735\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop_Ryan-Williams_FWS-scaled.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop_Ryan-Williams_FWS-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop_Ryan-Williams_FWS-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop_Ryan-Williams_FWS-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop_Ryan-Williams_FWS-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_bucket-drop_Ryan-Williams_FWS-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Cooling hotspots with helicopter bucket drops continued the next several days as cold temperatures allowed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"756\" alt=\"Two firefighters spray water on smoky brush with hose\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-20736\" data-id=\"20736\" src=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_ff-mopping-up-hotspot_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_ff-mopping-up-hotspot_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS.jpg 1008w, https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/03312021_ff-mopping-up-hotspot_Javier-Fuentes-Mattson_FWS-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1008px) 100vw, 1008px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Ground crews mop up  a smoldering hotspot in a brush area along the Oxcart fire perimeter.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Size: 12,907 acres Detected: March 29, 2021 Location: Red Lake County, Minn., within the Glacial Ridge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":235,"featured_media":0,"parent":20723,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20727","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/235"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20727"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21380,"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20727\/revisions\/21380"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mnics.org\/wpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}