Gunflint Fire still has officials on edge

Friday, May 11, 2007 11:11 PM CDT

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. (AP) - Fire officials kept a nervous eye on the wind Friday, fearful of a shift that could push a fast-moving wildfire back toward homes and businesses near the Gunflint Trail. Luckily, the weather cooperated, and officials were able to hold the fire around most of its perimeter.

Almost a week after it began, the fire in Minnesota's parched north woods had grown to nearly 47 square miles, with another 39 burning in Canada. About 300 people had checked in at an evacuation center outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and eight more were evacuated from the Canadian side of the border.

Officials on Friday evening estimated the damages at $3.7 million. While there had been no new confirmed loss of structures, they revised their previous figure upward to 134. The losses included 62 houses and cabins, and 44 structures at the Wilderness Canoe Base, a youth camp on Sea Gull Lake, six garages and 22 outbuildings.

Mark Van Every, a spokesman for the firefighting effort, said at a briefing Friday evening that the losses were huge.

“It's a sad time and I know there are lots of memories there for all of you, and I wish we could've saved every one, and we will certainly try to save as many as we can from here on out,” he said.

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Van Every said Friday's cooler temperatures and higher humidity worked in the firefighters' favor, as they continued to protect the 200 residences and 20 business structures at risk. A real chance of rain was days away, and because of the unpredictable conditions, residents were told Friday morning that they couldn't go back home just yet.

North winds Friday carried smoke from the fire and sent a smoky haze across much of northwestern Wisconsin, officials in that state said.

“This is a very large fire, it's a very serious situation. And we all know how dry it is out there. So, we've got a lot of work ahead of us, unfortunately, but I think we're going to be able to get through it,” said Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk.

To illustrate the fire's uncertain nature, Van Every pointed to a map earlier in the day and said: “You can tell how fast (the fire) is changing because it's drawn in magic marker. We don't know where exactly this fire is moving or how fast.”

Thursday's gusting winds pushed the fire east into Canada, then back toward the southeast, where flames jumped a narrow section of water on the far eastern edge of Gunflint Lake and crossed the Gunflint Trail. The path of the fire looked like a giant finger on a map, reaching out over the lake. Van Every said the wider section of the lake might have been spared because the water temperature is so frigid this time of year that the cooler air over the lake caused the embers to settle quickly into the water.

Van Every said a prescribed burn conducted two days ago near to the north of Gunflint Lake was successful and kept the fire from spreading south toward properties there.

The fire had closed about half of the 57-mile long Gunflint Trail, a key route from Grand Marais into the wilderness that is dotted with resorts and lake homes. It also burned through a campground sometime between Thursday and Friday.

No people had been reported hurt.

Some 650 firefighters from across the country were on the scene Friday, with more on the way. They were supported by 16 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and several bulldozers. Power had been restored up to the Seagull Guard Station on the trail.

Fire officials had no estimate for when the blaze would be under control. It's burning through an area in prolonged drought, and the weather service has said the fire danger in northern Minnesota would remain “very high to extreme” until significant rain falls.

Fire officials met with residents Friday and reported that many of the entry points to the Boundary Waters along the Gunflint were closed. The wilderness area is a popular destination for canoeists and anglers, and the state's walleye fishing opener is this weekend.

Residents said they appreciated the public meetings and were happy to get as much information as possible. But they said they're also simply glad to see each other and know their neighbors are OK.

“The great thing about Grand Marais, this whole area, is how everybody sticks together,” said Les Edinger, 70, a year-round resident of the southern edge of Gunflint Lake. “The reason we like living here is because everybody helps everybody.”

Some residents said they felt they needed to be among their friends and neighbors.

“This is a very strong community. And I think it's proven with all the people that are here, that in tough times, we all bond together,” Falk said.

Falk choked up at Friday's public meeting as he singled out former sheriff Dave Wirt. After a 1999 windstorm leveled millions of trees in and around the Boundary Waters, heightening the fire danger, Wirt was instrumental in writing emergency response and evacuation plans, Falk said.

“He developed a plan and now we're executing it,” Falk said, his voice wavering. “And I just want to thank you, Dave.” The crowd of evacuees applauded.

The fire started last Saturday near Ham Lake.