JOHN EK AND WHELP FIRE UPDATE – SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

Public Information Line: 218-209-2633 | Email: [email protected] John Ek Fire and Whelp Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7806/ Greenwood Fire Information: 218-499-9441 | All other fires on the : 218-214-7844 Facebook: Superior National Forest

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please join fire managers for a public meeting today, September 4, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at the Gunflint Trail Fire Department Hall #1 (Schaap Center), 7501 Gunflint Trail. This meeting is specific to the John Ek and Whelp Fires. Due to unreliable internet, we will record the meeting and post to Facebook thereafter; the meeting will not be on Facebook Live. All meeting attendees are asked to adhere to current CDC guidelines regarding the use of face masks, social distancing, and handwashing. JOHN EK FIRE (1,350 acres, 0% contained): Fire containment strategy remains the same for the John Ek Fire. Along the east and west sides of the fire, the crews that were flown in a few days ago continue to improve portages and set up sprinkler systems. Firefighters are widening portages to serve as a contingency line on the north side of the fire from Ogishkemuncie Lake to Tuscarora Lake. Structure protection crews are working on the south side of Gunflint Trail from Poplar Lake to Round Lake and Tuscarora Lodge. WHELP FIRE (50 acres, 0% contained): The Whelp Fire is five miles northwest of Sawbill Lake. On Friday, crews began constructing contingency line along the south side of the fire from Phoebe Lake to Sawbill Campground, working inward from both directions. Fire managers continue to use air resources to monitor the fire. WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Clouds will start to decrease today with temperatures reaching the low 70s. Winds will be west to northwest at 8-12 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Minimum relative humidity will range from 45 to 50%. Fire behavior has been minimal since the rain event last Sunday. Recent cool, cloudy weather has reduced visible fire even further. However, increased sunshine will increase fire smoldering, resulting in more visible smoke coming through tree canopies. SAFETY & EVACUATIONS: On September 2, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office changed the evacuation status of the Upper Gunflint Trail, from the south side of Loon Lake west to the end of the Gunflint trail, back to “Ready” status. There are currently no mandatory evacuations in Cook County. However, the public should continue to monitor the status of the fires as conditions can change quickly. Homeowners in Cook County can sign up for the emergency alert system CodeRED at https://www.co.cook.mn.us/index.php/2016-04-14-15-58-03. CLOSURES: • Superior National Forest lands and roads along the upper portion of the Gunflint Trail are closed due to fires in the vicinity. The closure includes all forest lands and roads along Cook County 12/Gunflint Trail beginning at the Cook County 92 intersection to the end of the Gunflint Trail. Trails End and Iron Lake campgrounds are in the closure area. • Most of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closure has been lifted, with the exception of the John Ek/Whelp fire closures and entry points associated with the Greenwood Fire and Gunflint Trail Closure. John Ek/Whelp closure area includes the following entry points: Seagull Lake Entry Point #54/#54A/L, Saganaga Lake Entry Point #55/#55A/J, Missing Link Lake EP #51, Brant Lake Entry Point #52, Cross Bay Lake Entry Point #50, Kekekabic Trail Entry Point #56 and #74, Skipper and Portage Lakes Entry Point #49, Kawishiwi Lake Entry Point #37, Magnetic Lake EP #57, Larch Creek EP #80. Due to upper Gunflint Trail closure South Lake EP #58 is closed. Due to the Greenwood Fire closure, the following are closed: Island River EP #34, Isabella Lake EP #35, Bog Lake EP #67, Little Isabella River #75, Snake River EP #84, Pow Wow Trail EP #86, and Hog Creek #36. • Across Superior National Forest, several closure orders are in effect due to wildfires, in order to protect public health and safety. To see all the Forest closure orders and other alerts go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior. • A temporary flight restriction for aircraft is in place over the fire areas.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are in place for the Superior National Forest, Department of Natural Resources for areas within state jurisdiction, Cook and Lake counties, and St. Louis County. See Superior National Forest Fire Restrictions Order and our Campfire Restrictions FAQ for more information. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: MN DNR Wildland Fire Information.