Ham and Cavity Lake Fire-ecology Tour Planned

Noted University of Minnesota, forest fire researcher, Dr Lee Frelich to conduct a tour and to give a talk on the Gunflint's Ham and Cavity Lake fires and the future of the burned-over areas. This informative fire-ecology program begins; Sunday, August 26, 1:00 p.m., at the Gunflint Lodge Conference Center, where Dr Frelich will talk on the future of the BWCA and Gunflint’s fire damaged forests followed at 3:00 p.m. by a tour of the Ham Lake Fire site. Then on Monday, August 27, 9:00 p.m., Lee Frelich will conduct a tour of Cavity Lake Fire. Because the Cavity Lake fire area is in the BWCA this tour will be limited to 9 people.

Also if you are interested in informally getting together with Dr Frelich and others from the Gunflint, a Potluck Get-together is planned for Saturday, beginning 5:00 p.m at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B. The potluck is open to the public; RSVP at 218-388-4487 is requested. If you need lodging for this event rooms are still available at the Poplar Creek Guesthouse.

The program is sponsored by the Gunflint Trail Association, Sugar Loaf Cove and Cook County Extension.

Dr Frelich current research interests includes impact of fire and wind on forests of the BWCAW, effects of invasion by exotic and regional patterns of tree height in old growth and second growth forests in the eastern U.S.