Bogus Lake Fire at 53 acres, ground crews working toward containment

Updated 10:31 a.m. October 11 – the Bogus Lake Fire is 100% contained. 

Since first reported on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Bogus Lake Fire has been slowly creeping and expanding in a mix of birch, aspen, and maples approximately ¼ mile north of Bogus Lake in Cook County.

Initial reports on Tuesday evening estimated the fire at approximately 10 acres in size.

As of noon on Thursday, Oct. 10, the fire has grown to 53 acres, according to Forest Service officials.

“What it’s burning in is the leaf litter,” said Tofte District Ranger Ellen Bogardus-Szymaniak. The fire is predominantly burning on the surface, she said, and is “not deeply burning.”

The Bogus Lake Fire began on Oct. 8, when a private pilot spotted smoke about ¼ acre north of Bogus Lake. After the pilot reported it to law enforcement, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Forest Service immediately deployed ground crews and responded to the wildfire.

Ground crews have used a hose lay around the fire’s perimeter and leaf blowers to blow leaves toward the fire and away from the perimeter. No aircraft has been used to assist with suppression efforts.

Bogardus-Szymaniak said she anticipates the 30 firefighters involved within the ground crews to contain the fire later today. “Knowing how much work they put in the last two days,” she said. “We should be able to get containment.”

Bogardus-Szymaniak said there are no threats to property or the public at this time. “So I’m not anticipating any threats to any structures or any of the public, not anticipating it growing very much larger.”

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, but given its behavior and remote location, Bogardus-Szymaniak told WTIP, it is likely due to a lightning strike. “We’re assuming it’s lightning, but we don’t know.” Fire investigators will arrive later today.

Kalli Hawkins October 10, 2024