Another Fire on the Gunflint Trail

[gunflint]

I don't know much about it yet but I belive it's by Seagull Lake. I should know more by tomorrow. I could see the smoke all the way to mid-trail.

[gunflint]

Here's More:

Submitted by vco on Fri, 07/14/2006 - 11:04pm.

It is doubtful anyone on the Gunflint Trail or in Grand Marais missed seeing or smelling the smoke that filled the sky Friday afternoon. A strange looking cloud soon became a billowing plume of smoke as the Cavity Lake Fire started to burn. A lightening strike from a previous day, a drop in humidity, and windy hot weather is what got this fire going and before the day was done almost 300 acres had burned. The fire started sometime after 3:00 p.m. on Friday the 14th of July in a remote area of the blowdown. The location of the fire is South of Seagull Lake, North of Howard Lake, and about 7 miles in on the Kekekabik Hiking Trail. Overhead resources were brought in immediately including an aircraft from Canada and the hsolist 215's. They worked for hours as the winds continued to blow and the fire continued to travel for almost 2 1/2 miles through the wilderness. Hopefully weather conditions will cooperate on Saturday and more resources will be brought in to fight the fire before it can spread West towards the Gunflint Trail.

[Slyster]

How are the conditions up there after that big blow down a few years back? I remember all the talk of a super-fire that could start with all that downed wood.. but I don't hear anything about that anymore.

[gunflint]

This one started in the blowdown. It's over 1000 acres so far. The portages off Seagull Lake are closed as is the Kek Trail to the east. The fire has reached Jap Lake.They are calling in fire crews from the mid-west and more air attack crews.

With the heat and wind conditions, this one could get tricky before it gets better.

[Powerstroke]

Its hard to say any fire is a good fire, but I feel better knowing this one wasn started by natural causes and not laziness or apathy by humans.

Maybe after last years fire near Seagull Lake, this one won't become such a media circus. I see Red Flag Warnings are issued for the entire northern part of the state. We came home from the BWCA on friday anfternoon and I could believe the the dynamic changes in fire weather.

Good luck with this one. I hope its controlled before it threatens life or property.

[ocf]

will this get close to flour lake, im guessing not but just makin sure

[Slyster]

Top story on Kare11 news tongiht.

[Surface Tension]

To burn to Flour lake would be catastrophic. It would have to burn east many miles and jump the trail.

The Gunflint Trail is one of my favorite places in MN.

Has been for 40 years. After the blow down and fires that followed that area has changed drasticly. I'm starting to wonder if my love for the area was as artificial as the land management.

Fire suppression and no logging has kept this gem as is for too long. The mature forest I've always longed to return to is regenerating in spite of mans efforts.

[Slyster]

My brother is taking a trip to Quetico Thur! Going up the trail to "Top of the Trail" outfitters and conoing up through Sag and Cache bay.....

Is this going to impact him at this point??

[CraigM]

It might not be politically correct, but, I think we do too much to stop naturally occuring fires. When our forests are not allowed to regenerate they do not sustain as much wildlife and plant diversity. They may look pretty, but they are not always healthy. Old growth is cool until it's too old to do any good.

By the way, No, I'm not an expert. I just play one on here.

[Gus]

Quote:

---

It might not be politically correct, but, I think we do too much to stop naturally occuring fires. When our forests are not allowed to regenerate they do not sustain as much wildlife and plant diversity. They may look pretty, but they are not always healthy. Old growth is cool until it's too old to do any good.

By the way, No, I'm not an expert. I just play one on here.

---

I bet you slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night didn't you???

[Fishin4Life]

LOL too funny Gus, haha, gave me an early morning laugh.

[Ely Lake Expert]

I don't know much about the gunflint so I really don't have much of a comment on this. Though I heard a couple of retired guys talking yesterday and they both agreed that "they should of let the loggers in 10 years ago and we wouldn't have to worry about all fires happening in the last couple of years." They also went on to say "millions of dollars of industry went to waste" Like I said I don't know much about it, but sure sounded like they had a good point.

[Powerstroke]

The Wilderness is exactly that.....wilderness. The best thing that ever happened to this area is cancelling out the motorized travel and not allowing logging.

Yes logging could've mitigated the current situation, but then the BWCA would be a large poplar grove.. Last week I stayed at a campsite with at least 5 generations of new spruce and firs. I couldn't believe it, but nature is talking care of itself.

Now if people would stop deciding whats best for the BWCA. By stopping fires we are changing the wilderness, not preserving it.

If its industry they want then these guys are also for drilling for oil in the BWCA if it was available.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Good post powerstroke. I do have the same appreciation for the wilderness that you do, but I also have and understanding of business. As much fun as it is to go camping you need money to do it, because in all reality money runs the world. Logging is some peoples way of making money, so I have a certain respect for them wanting to go and get their product just like anyone else would in any other business. Also loggers do replant trees, so they may be smaller and thick versus more big trees. I would be against it if they just took the trees and left, but since they will grow back I am kind of torn between the 2 sides of this subject.

[ChemE]

Check here for the latest info.

fire info and maps

[caseymcq]

Here is a HSOforum for the latest info on the fire

Pacific North West Team 2 - Cavity Lake Fire