Wood Lake wildfire in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters partly contained

The fire began last week and has grown to 27 acres. It is under investigation and believed to have been caused by human activity.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
September 15, 2024 at 8:01PM
As U.S. Forest Service employees lead a tour for media members by canoe of the BWCA on Lake Three, the charred remains of forested land are visible near Ely, MN. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011.] - Ely, MN DAVID JOLES*djoles@startribune.com - The Pagami Creek fire in the Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has now scorched nearly 100,000 acres and cost $21 million to fight but is now nearly out. Members of the U.S. Forest services took media members for a tour of the BWCA on Lakes one through three to look at the damage.
As U.S. Forest Service employees leads a tour in October 2011 for media members on the BWCA's Lake Three, as the charred remains of forested land are visible near Ely, Minnesota. (David Joles/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A 27-acre wildfire believed to be caused by human activity near Ely in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was 25% contained Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Wood Lake fire was discovered about 10 a.m. Tuesday on an island on Wood Lake, a news release from the U.S. Forest Service and the Superior National Forest said. It caused the closure of an entry point on the lake as well as several nearby lakes and portages.

“Firefighters made good progress yesterday with higher humidity levels, continuing to reinforce the fire’s containment line,” the news release said Sunday, noting that firefighters are making contingency plans around Moose Lake.

Firefighters from Connecticut are assisting in fighting the fire.

The fire is under investigation, and Superior National Forest law enforcement officials are seeking any information about how the fire started.

about the writer

Greta Kaul

Reporter

Greta Kaul is the Star Tribune’s Ramsey County reporter.

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