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 Superior National Forest: 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.