I will be traveling for the next couple of days so I will not be updating the blog.
All the news on the fire continues to be positive and homeowners are being let back into the evacuation areas.
We had snow last night! There is enough snow in the woods for a snowball fight. It will melt today but it was very surprising to look outside and see it snowing.
Lynn
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Back to normal
As the fire containment percentage continues to increase, it is projected to be 100% by May 20th, we are starting to get back into our normal spring routine. Vince has joined us for the summer and before he could settle in Stephanie had the the spring cabin cleaning started and recruited him.
Travis and Erik are building a new rack for the tow boat to hold the canoes and Rick will be starting a new dock for cabin 4 in the next week or so. We got a new hot water heater for the bunkhouse and new shower is on order to arrive soon. Happy Sleeper will be delivering new mattresses on Monday and the new canoes are being registered.
I think it will take a few more days to get settled back into our normal routine but it is starting to feel like we are back on track.
Travis and Erik are building a new rack for the tow boat to hold the canoes and Rick will be starting a new dock for cabin 4 in the next week or so. We got a new hot water heater for the bunkhouse and new shower is on order to arrive soon. Happy Sleeper will be delivering new mattresses on Monday and the new canoes are being registered.
I think it will take a few more days to get settled back into our normal routine but it is starting to feel like we are back on track.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Good News on the fire continues
This is the update from WTIP posted on www.boreal.org
The perimeter of the Ham Lake fire on the U.S. side continues to hold. Today crews are mopping up hot spots within 100 feet of containment lines, and within 300 feet of all structures. On the northwest flank, firefighters are patrolling the Saganaga Lake islands. Progress continues toward containment, with firefighters improving the line south of Rush Lake in anticipation of today’s warmer and drier weather forecast. Containment on the U.S. side of the fire is now estimated at 65%. Nearly 76,000 total acres have been burned, with about 36,000 acres in the U.S. and over 39,000 in Canada. The containment date remains Sunday, May 20. The total cost for fighting the fire at this time is estimated to be $7.3 million.
On the other side of the border, crews are making additional progress. In addition to the Ham Lake Fire, Canada has been tackling other large fires in the province. One fire, east of Thunder Bay, threatened the province’s main railroad line, the trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric utilities and the natural gas transmission corridor. At this time Ontario has an estimated 230 firefighters engaged on the Ham Lake Fire, including three American “Hot Shot” crews, two from Alaska and one from Arizona, and more Canadian resources are on the way. Ontario also has a fire ban in place.
As a result of decreased fire activity and successful suppression operations, the areas of Superior National Forest lands outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are now open to public use except the areas north and west of the Cross River roadblock on the Gunflint Trail. East Bearskin and Flour Lake Campgrounds are open. Reservations are now being accepted by ReserveAmerica for BWCAW trips starting May 20 into many of the BWCAW entry points. The Superior National Forrest anticipates that all BWCAW entry points will be opened by June 14 or earlier, depending on fire conditions. Access is now open to the Gunflint and Loon Lakes areas. Water access onto Gunflint Lake is prohibited due to aircraft traffic associated with suppression efforts.
The road block at the Poplar Lake Fire Hall was moved further up trail yesterday to where the Cross River intersects the Gunflint Trail. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for the Gunflint Trail beyond the Cross River roadblock. Property owners west of the roadblock will be allowed into the evacuation area today from noon to 4:00 p.m. Property owners entering the evacuated area were asked to attend the 10:00 a.m. information meeting held this morning at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais. They were then issued an access pass and given further instructions and a safety briefing.
The perimeter of the Ham Lake fire on the U.S. side continues to hold. Today crews are mopping up hot spots within 100 feet of containment lines, and within 300 feet of all structures. On the northwest flank, firefighters are patrolling the Saganaga Lake islands. Progress continues toward containment, with firefighters improving the line south of Rush Lake in anticipation of today’s warmer and drier weather forecast. Containment on the U.S. side of the fire is now estimated at 65%. Nearly 76,000 total acres have been burned, with about 36,000 acres in the U.S. and over 39,000 in Canada. The containment date remains Sunday, May 20. The total cost for fighting the fire at this time is estimated to be $7.3 million.
On the other side of the border, crews are making additional progress. In addition to the Ham Lake Fire, Canada has been tackling other large fires in the province. One fire, east of Thunder Bay, threatened the province’s main railroad line, the trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric utilities and the natural gas transmission corridor. At this time Ontario has an estimated 230 firefighters engaged on the Ham Lake Fire, including three American “Hot Shot” crews, two from Alaska and one from Arizona, and more Canadian resources are on the way. Ontario also has a fire ban in place.
As a result of decreased fire activity and successful suppression operations, the areas of Superior National Forest lands outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are now open to public use except the areas north and west of the Cross River roadblock on the Gunflint Trail. East Bearskin and Flour Lake Campgrounds are open. Reservations are now being accepted by ReserveAmerica for BWCAW trips starting May 20 into many of the BWCAW entry points. The Superior National Forrest anticipates that all BWCAW entry points will be opened by June 14 or earlier, depending on fire conditions. Access is now open to the Gunflint and Loon Lakes areas. Water access onto Gunflint Lake is prohibited due to aircraft traffic associated with suppression efforts.
The road block at the Poplar Lake Fire Hall was moved further up trail yesterday to where the Cross River intersects the Gunflint Trail. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for the Gunflint Trail beyond the Cross River roadblock. Property owners west of the roadblock will be allowed into the evacuation area today from noon to 4:00 p.m. Property owners entering the evacuated area were asked to attend the 10:00 a.m. information meeting held this morning at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais. They were then issued an access pass and given further instructions and a safety briefing.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Open Entry Points
The forest service announced that the entry points not effected by the fire will re-open on May 20th.
38 Sawbill Lake No travel restrictions
39 Baker Lake No travel restrictions
40 Homer Lake No travel restrictions
41 Brule Lake No travel restrictions
41A Brule Lake Only No travel restrictions
43 Bower Trout Lake No travel restrictions
44 Ram Lake No travel restrictions
45 Morgan Lake No travel restrictions
47 Lizz and Swamp Lakes No camping on Rush Lake
48 Meeds Lake No camping on Rush Lake
60 Duncan Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
61 Daniels Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
62 Clearwater Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
64 East Bearskin No travel west of Rat Lake
66 Crocodile River No travel west of Rat Lake
68 Pine Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
69 John Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
70 North Fowl No travel west of Rat Lake
78 Brule Lake Trail No travel restrictions
79 Eagle Mountain Trail No travel restrictions
Day Use Motor
L Clearwater Lake
M East Bearskin Lake
The goal is to have the remaining closed entry points open by June 14 or earlier based upon the Sheriff’s closure order or restoration needs. Some entry points may have a reduced quota or remain closed until rehabilitation is completed or due to proximity to fire.
38 Sawbill Lake No travel restrictions
39 Baker Lake No travel restrictions
40 Homer Lake No travel restrictions
41 Brule Lake No travel restrictions
41A Brule Lake Only No travel restrictions
43 Bower Trout Lake No travel restrictions
44 Ram Lake No travel restrictions
45 Morgan Lake No travel restrictions
47 Lizz and Swamp Lakes No camping on Rush Lake
48 Meeds Lake No camping on Rush Lake
60 Duncan Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
61 Daniels Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
62 Clearwater Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
64 East Bearskin No travel west of Rat Lake
66 Crocodile River No travel west of Rat Lake
68 Pine Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
69 John Lake No travel west of Rat Lake
70 North Fowl No travel west of Rat Lake
78 Brule Lake Trail No travel restrictions
79 Eagle Mountain Trail No travel restrictions
Day Use Motor
L Clearwater Lake
M East Bearskin Lake
The goal is to have the remaining closed entry points open by June 14 or earlier based upon the Sheriff’s closure order or restoration needs. Some entry points may have a reduced quota or remain closed until rehabilitation is completed or due to proximity to fire.
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