Wildfire burning near Bogus Lake, approximately 45 acres in size

Updated at 11:31 a.m. Oct. 9 – the fire has grown to 45 acres in size. The Forest Service said there are no threats to property or Trout Lake Resort at this time. 

A wildfire approximately 10 acres in size is currently burning 1/4 of a mile north of Bogus Lake in Cook County. The fire is approximately 3 miles from Trout Lake Resort, near Trout Lake Rd.

At approximately 4 p.m., on Oct. 8, a private pilot spotted smoke north of Bogus Lake and contacted law enforcement. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildland firefighters and the U.S. Forest Service immediately deployed ground crews and responded to the wildfire.

Aaron Mielke, a forester and wildland firefighter at the Grand Marais DNR office, told WTIP that as of 7:45 p.m., there is “no threat right now” to property or nearby Trout Lake Resort. The wildfire is “creeping” in a hardwood stand of timber. The DNR has notified the owners of Trout Lake Resort of the wildfire.

Ground crews pulled out of the immediate fire area late this evening and will return to monitor and suppress the wildfire first thing in the morning. The DNR has a helicopter stationed at the Grand Marais/Cook County Airport, and the Forest Service will send over aircraft from Ely in the morning to assist ground crews.

Mielke said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation. Mielke said there are no established campsites or easy access in the vicinity of the fire, and the fire “started out in the bush.”

Kalli Hawkins October 8, 2024