Fire Updates- Up to Forty Structures Losted

It now appears that the Ham Lake Fire has destroyed as many as forty structures around Seagull and the Sag Lakes area. Read addition fire stories in the Duluth Tribune including an article on the two of us that escaped by boat.

The following is additional Fire Information reprinted from USFS Press Release:

For Immediate Release:
Contact: MIFC Information Staff
218 327-4558

May 7, 2007 4:40PM

Ham Lake Fire Update

The Ham Lake fire continued to actively burn throughout the day expanding it's perimeter on the north, east and west. Cooler temperatures and moderate winds have slowed it somewhat today.

The Cook County Sheriff has established a homeowner hot line for landowners in the evacuated area. This was operational at 3:00 PM today. The number is 218-387-3093. Landowners that properly identify themselves will be given status on their property. Communications and power lines north of the Seagull Guard station are destroyed.

This is still a dangerous fire, multiple trees and hazards are across the Gunflint Trail and no one will be allowed from the Cross River Crossing to the end of the Trail.

Briefings for the public will occur at 11 am at Gunflint Fire Department station #2 next to Gunflint Lodge and at 6pm at the Cook County Court House in Grand Marais.

Currently 200+ people are on the fire. Seven Fire Departments from Cook County are assisting with structural protection. Forty structures have been lost and at least 90 more are threatened. One commercial building was lost with several others damaged. Combined value of threatened property is $38,000,000. A Type 1 Team from the Great Basin has been ordered and will begin arriving today. They are individuals from Utah, Nevada and southern Idaho. The Incident Command Post has been moved to Gunflint Lodge Conference Center.

Today's temperatures were in the 60's with RH 68% and winds WSW at 14 MPH with gusts up to 20 MPH. The Gunflint Trail did not receive any precipitation over night or this morning. Conditions for extreme fire behavior are still in effect.
More stringent burning restrictions have been put in place by the MN Department of Natural Resources and the Superior National Forest to cover Cook, Lake and portions of St. Louis County north of County Rd 16 beginning at 8:00 AM on Monday, May 7.
Under these more elevated restrictions the following are prohibited: No burning permits will be issued except for special exceptions issued by State or Federal agencies having suppression responsibilities.

Camp fires are not allowed. No charcoal permitted.
Gas and propane fired camp stoves, grills or similar devices are allowed. No welding, acetylene torches or other devices with open flame allowed in forested areas except under special permits. Use of fireworks and explosives in municipalities will be under control of municipalities. Smoking outdoors is permitted. PLEASE USE CAUTION!

Reminder to visitors arriving for the 2007 Fishing Opener: The Gunflint Trail above the Cross River bridge is closed. See restrictions above.

Closure information is available on the Superior National website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior

Further information is available at http://www.inciweb.org/