Wildfire on IR; Part of the Minong closed

[johnhens]

From IRKPA:

A report came in late this afternoon that part of the Minong Trail (between North Desor and Hatchet Lake) has been closed because of a small wildfire likely caused by lightning on Sunday. Wildfires are also active in Seney National Wildlife Refuge and other U.P. locations. Parts of the Keweenaw received about an inch of much-needed rain Sunday.

*More info:
The fire was thought to have been started by a lightning strike, burned a small area then was extinguished by the rain. At this point it is "smoldering" and the trail is thought to be closed for a day or so. Obviously this can change with hot weather and wind. I will either update or remove this notice as I find out the trail conditions.

[JustinB]

Thanks for posting this news! I hope the damage isn't too extensive. Do you have any guess about how long they might have the trail closed for this type of thing?

[johnhens]

Thanks for posting this news! I hope the damage isn't too extensive. Do you have any guess about how long they might have the trail closed for this type of thing?

It didn't sound like it would be closed for too long. Again this may change as the weather changes ie: winds become stronger and humidity drops.

[JustinB]

That is a relief. Hoping to head through that section of the Minong in about two weeks, so hopefully our planned route works out. Thanks again for keeping everyone informed!

[johnhens]

It looks like strong thunder storm potential today with heavy rains possible. Hopefully the rain will snuff out any remaining smoldering timber.

[Tom]

Just got back on yesterday's boat. It's no suprise that Sunday's storm started a fire; I was hiding down at "Hidden" lake when it struck. Many, many local lightening strikes. Hiking back on the Greenstone was precarious, as we had to book it between storms.
A couple that returned on yesterday's boat was hiking on the Minong, and hiked right through the fire just as the rangers and trail crews were discovering it. They said it's pretty much a smolder, slowing burning. Current estimates are that around 40 acres have burned, and I'm guessing with the amount of rain received yesterday, it may be extinguished. (On that note, the rivers are the north shore of MN were really flowing!)

[johnhens]

Thanks for the "On Scene" report. I had a conversation recently with some NPS folks about Prescribed Burns in October, not as many folks on the Island and Falls rains should help control the burns. If they don't get the downed timber from the 2010 fire burned off, if it goes up in Summer it is going to be like the Ham Lake fire in the BWCA.

Glad you were able to get out there. looking forward to the TR.

[IncaRoads]

Just got off the island yesterday; I was solo hiking the Feldtmann Loop Trail. On May 22, the Minong Ridge Trail between North Lake Desor and the Hatchet Lake junction was closed. As of Thursday, May 24 it was still closed.

Ranger Valerie said the fire probably started last Sunday May 20 during a non-stop whole afternoon thunderstorm with substantial lightning strikes. It started on the Minong Ridge about a mile west of Little Todd. A trail service crew stumbled upon the initial smoldering which they guessed to be about 5 acres along the top of the ridge. Upon further investigation, they found more smoldering further east along the trail, and down into the swampy land to the south. They are currently monitoring the situation; appears to be about 40 acres. The heavy rains of the last few days should put a damper on the fire.

[JustinB]

Many thanks to everyone for all the info and updates!

[johnhens]

Latest MODIS imagery showing Seney and Newberry (Duck Lake) wildfires:

[johnhens]

The trail section along the Minong remains closed as of today (5/29).

[JustinB]

Thanks for the update. Too bad it is still closed - I'm hoping it opens by June 9th!

[Rafiki]

I wish it would have been closed when I went at the beginning of May...maybe then I would not have gotten lost because I would have opted to take the Greenstone On second thought, I guess me getting lost helped me realize that I needed to get a compass. So cheers to getting lost on the Minong eariler this month. I hope it re-opens for all of those of you that are eager to attempt it.

[hooky]

It was still closed as of yesterday.

[Rafiki]

Dang. Thats crazy. I feel bad that so many people probably planned to hike it only to find out that they don't have the option to do so and here I was whinning last week about getting lost and almost dehydrating. Sorry for all of you that had the Minong in your itinerary. I hope it opens soon. I guess the bright side out of all of this is that you won't get attacked by the Goshawks that are lurking around towards the west end of the Minong.