Crews remain at scene of BWCA wildfire

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Crews remain at scene of BWCA wildfire

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: September 5, 2012 - 12:47 AM

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More than 30 acres of pine and spruce trees have burned in a wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness northwest of Ely.

Photo: Tim Rova, Superior National Forest fire management officer

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Firefighters continued on Tuesday to battle a fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness northwest of Ely, Minn.

The fire erupted about mid-afternoon on Sunday near a campsite on the northeast shore of Otter Lake and spread to the western shore of Cummings Lake by Monday. By Tuesday, the fire had blackened about 40 acres of the pine and spruce wilderness.

With 16 firefighters on the ground working to box in the blaze, another 10 firefighters were ready to move into the area to assist and relieve some of the firefighters, Superior National Forest spokeswoman Becca Manlove said. But lightning was keeping the new crew from getting out on the water, she said.

The good news was rain could be headed into the burn area, she said.

"It's raining [in Ely] right now," she said. "If they get rain there, it will help dampen things."

The fire, which is small in scale, has caused no injuries. The cause is being investigated.

MARY LYNN SMITH