Pagami Creek Fire continues to burn!
Minnesota Boundary Waters
Marcia Todd
Prayer Coordinator for Lake County
Minnesota Apostolic Prayer Network
On August 18, 2011 a lightening strike started a fire 13 miles east of Ely in NE Minnesota, in the area otherwise known as Minnesota's Arrowhead. Due to lack of precipitation and high winds, on Monday, September 12, 2011, the fire ran an unprecedented 16 miles in a few hours. As the Pagami Creek Fire continued to burn in the low humidity and high temperatures, often with winds, it became the biggest fire in Minnesota in 93 years burning over 92,600 acres.
It was hoped that the typical significant snowfall for NE Minnesota would be enough to put the fire out, but this is not the case. As of March 14, 2012, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reported that, with aerial surveillance, the fire is still seen burning in peat bogs.
Now, in the winter of 2011-2012, the Arrowhead region is significantly behind in winter snowfall and is having record breaking high temperatures in March. This unusual weather is prematurely melting the little snow that did fall. The forecast temperatures for the coming month are also higher than normal and this will dry out the fuel for fires in the forest. A number of years ago there was a wind storm that blew down significant portions of forest that are now fuel for a current fire. Last fall there was great concern that the fire could easily and quickly move through a portion of this blown down area north into Canada, which is why there was Canadian help with firefighting aircraft. This is also important for there are restrictions for fighting fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area where much of the Pagami Fire burned. The fire season has now begun in NE Minnesota and the MN DNR is predicting that 2012 will be a severe fire season.
For the size and scope of the fire, there were no human fatalities, few injuries and no damage to homes. However, many people were either evacuated or prepared to evacuate for a period of at least a couple of weeks. During the time of the Pagami Creek Fire, the economics of the region struggled. Loggers and others who make their living in the woods were unable to get to work as the roads were blocked for many miles. The Arrowhead Region also has a high economic dependency on tourism. During the time the fire burned, many resorts and other industries involving tourism also struggled. The lack of snow this winter has kept business at low levels for those who depend on people coming to our region to enjoy snow related activities. The early spring-like weather we are experiencing also creates further issues for local businesses who depend on cold and snow for their livelihood.
Prayer for precipitation and financial recovery for the Arrowhead Region is greatly needed and very much appreciated.
Sources:
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Pagami-Fire-Still-Smoking-as-Fire-Season-Begins-142699795.html
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2534
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Northshore-Businesses-in-Need-of-White-Gold--142144643.html
Pagami Fire Still Smoking as Fire Season Begins
www.northlandsnewscenter.com
Duluth, MN (Northlands NewsCenter)
-- Officials at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say aerial surveillance shows fire is still burning in areas of the Pagami Creek Fire. This news comes the same day that fire season officially begins in the northland.
