Tag: MN fire

Boundary Waters wilderness burning at U.S

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a sunset over a lake with clouds in the sky

Wildfires flared earlier this week and destroyed thousands of acres in Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota, with many of the fires straddling the U.S.-Canadian border. The Western Fire Chiefs’ map on Thursday afternoon tracked at least 17 wildfires in Minnesota, and at least 10 in Canada, near the border. The largest in Canada covered over 70,600 acres, while the largest Minnesota fire spread over 13,500 acres. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, or BWCA, a popular wilderness area stretching 1 million acres on either side of the border, has been hit extremely hard.

Nearby residents posted videos showing the plumes of smoke covering the sky, with one local posting he hasn’t slept since watching his home burn. What caused the fires? Officials reported that a downed power line caused at least one fire in Minnesota, while at least one other resulted from an abandoned campfire in Manitoba, Canada. Officials reported that at least one other fire sparked during a lightning storm, and several other fires have undetermined causes. The fires have spread due to area dryness and record-high heat in the region. What steps have been taken? Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and activated the National Guard, while rangers evacuated the BWCA. Forest officials estimated that up to 10,000 campers and canoers were within the park when evacuation orders were issued.

As of Tuesday, at least 17 people were rescued with no injuries reported. State and federal firefighters worked to contain the fires via land and air efforts. The BWCA will remain closed until at least Friday, the first time it has closed in 45 years, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. Authorities ordered evacuations from nearby residential areas to keep locals out of the fire’s path. Fernberg Road in Minnesota has been evacuated, which has raised concerns as it is the only road in or out of Ely, Minn., the entrance to the BWCA area. MPR News released a video showing some of the evacuation efforts in the BWCA. Where else is affected? New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement on Thursday morning warning New Yorkers that smoke from the fires would continue blanketing the Empire State. She expected air quality to worsen and unhealthy air conditions to spread across the state.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a similar statement on Thursday, instructing residents to stay inside whenever possible. Air quality levels across the state ranged between very unhealthy and hazardous, she reported. Wisconsin officials also issued an air quality advisory on Thursday due to wildfire smoke, suggesting residents wear N95 respirator masks and program air conditioning units to recirculate indoor air.

Source: Boundary Waters wilderness burning at U.S-Canada border | WORLD

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