Fire crews work to contain Birch Bay Fire in Superior National Forest near Ely
Updated at 12:18 p.m.
Fire personnel are responding to a wildfire that was detected in the Superior National Forest on Monday afternoon, approximately eight miles northwest of Ely, Minn.
As of late Monday evening, fire officials estimate the Birch Bay Fire has burned about 30 acres. The wildfire is northwest of the North Arm of Burntside Lake area.
Firefighting aircraft and ground crews worked Monday to suppress the Birch Bay Fire. Firefighters remained on scene late last night and returned to the fire Tuesday morning to resume fire suppression efforts.
“An early morning flight will help calculate the size of the fire more accurately and determine safe locations where crews can safely engage in fire line construction,” U.S. Forest Service officials with the Superior National Forest said in a late Monday evening Facebook post.
On Tuesday around noon, fire officials updated the estimated burned area to 35 acres.
Location of Birch Bay Fire near Ely | Graphic by Watch Duty
Forest Service officials said additional firefighting personnel, engines, and aircraft have been brought in from other states to assist during the spring fire season.
The public is advised to stay away from the North Arm Road area and not fly any drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
“Any of these actions could slow the wildfire response and/or place responders in dangerous situations,” the Forest Service said.
Agencies that responded to the wildfire are the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Morse-Fall Lake Fire Department, Babbitt Fire Department, Ely Fire Department, and Eagles Nest Fire Department.
Initial evacuations were made at the end of North Arm Road and Lindskog Road as a precaution Monday afternoon. However, fire crews were able to limit the wildfire’s spread using aircraft and helicopters, and evacuation plans were not implemented.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said there are no structures lost in the wildfire, and the cause is unknown and under investigation.
Kalli Hawkins June 2, 2026
