The USFS released a list of the entry points and campsites impacted by the Pagami Creek Fire last August-October. Here are comments taken from Tim Dabney, Acting Forest Supervisor, letter to Outfitters.

Please contact Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters if you have any questions or to reserve your BWCA permit:

Yesterday we joined a group of outfitters and USFS staff to paddle into Lake Three to visit a portion of the Pagami Creek Fire area.  We visited a number of campsites that were affected from light impact to "fully cooked" as our Forest Service guide stated.

I was pleasantly surprisied to see the amount of green or areas still intact. The portages from Lake One to Lake Two were protected with sprinklers during the perscribed burn and do not look any different than before the fire.  We saw relatively fresh wolf scat on the portage. As we paddled into Lake Three we started to see burned areas. Trees were lightly scorched near the waters edge to completely toasted away from the shoreline.

Campsites affected

The USFS has announced a few changes for 2012. There will not be a January 2012 lottery for reserving the initial round of permits. We understand that the on-line reservation service will go active Wednesday January 25.

We will have more detail information available on Tuesday when we meet with the USFS at our annual Fall Cooperator's meeting. So be sure to check our blog.

Is the wilderness calling you?

It is a good time to start planning your 2012 BWCA adventure. Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters, Ely MN., staff are available to help you. Simply contact us by either email (info@elycanoetrips.com) or by calling 218-365-3149 or 800-950-2709.

The USFS has been gracious and used many of the businesses in the Ely area to supply their needs during the Pagami Creek Fire. We thank them for spreading the business around. Here is a usual scenerio:

We will get a call or a USFS staff will stop in with an order of food, stoves, cook kits w/utensils, fuel and water filters for 20 or more people, 5000 calories per person per day. And can we have it ready in 24 -36 hours or less?

Of course the answer is yes! Our staff goes into high gear reviewing our menu, purchasing food, setting up packing tables and getting packs ready.  It really is a fast paced activity.

They eat well

Phone:218-365-3177, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.  

E-mail:PIOPagamiFire@gmail.com

Forest Service Reduces Fire-related Closures on the Superior National Forest

Precipitation and cool temperatures have significantly reduced fire danger in northern Minnesota and fire crews continue to have success with containment efforts on the Pagami Creek Fire on the Superior National Forest.  The Forest Service is re-opening additional areas inside and outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for public use.  

In the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW):

Just announced:

The USFS has implemented a total campfire restriction in all of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness starting today.  No campfires or charcoal fires are allowed.

Camp stoves are allowed as well as gas or coleman lanterns.

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Unseasonably dry, warm conditions and low relative humidities yesterday allowed the Pagami Creek Fire to burn actively south of the Lakes One and Two area. The burn out operation conducted last weekend was successful in reducing the threat of the fire escaping the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and threatening the Fernberg corridor to the north.
To provide for public safety the Superior National Forest is temporarily closing the following:
 

Closed areas       

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Firefighters completed the burn out operation on the Pagami Creek Fire yesterday. Today crews will be focused on securing the fire line and identifying hazards that could make their work more dangerous. Hand firing may be used today to burn out pockets of unburned fuels close to the fire line.

Ely area residents and visitors should expect to see and smell smoke from both the Pagami Creek Fire and several small fires that were detected in the past few days.