Forest Service preps for prescribed fires over Mother’s Day weekend

Staff with the U.S. Forest Service on Superior National Forest are going to attempt to burn up to 100 acres of federal land over Mother’s Day weekend (May 8 and 9).

The prescribed fires are located approximately 10 miles east of Isabella. See attached vicinity map for location details on the left.
If conditions continue to allow the Forest Service to do prescribed burns at this time, a large fire, some 500 acres in size, will take place near Sawbill Outfitters on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, according to Patrick Johnson, the east zone fuels specialist for the Gunflint and Tofte districts.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, fire danger remains high in Cook and Lake counties at this time.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Patty Johnson, the fire management officer for the east zone of Superior National Forest, as well as Patrick Johnson for an update on the controlled burns. The audio below is their full conversation.

Joe Friedrichs May 7, 2021