A fire known as the North Minnie Fire continues to burn within the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area of the Beltrami State Forest southwest of Baudette.

Management of the fire is under the command of Paul Kollmeyer’s Type 2 Eastern Area Incident Management Team.

Between 1/10 to 2/10 of rain fell on the fire Monday. However, the fire remains active, smoldering and creeping underground in the peat lands. Firefighters continue to secure the western portion of the south flank of the fire, and are making good progress. The rain has made access on some roads difficult. There are no roads into the north flank. Tracked equipment is being utilized to scout accesses, and move firefighters and their equipment into remote areas.

The fire is estimated as of Monday at 24,840 acres and it is considered 35 percent contained.

At risk are private lands, timber resources, extensive peat lands, and a major power line. A small number of private hunting cabins within Beltrami Island State Forest are potentially threatened.

No structures have been lost.  

There are currently 164 personnel assigned to the fire. They include four hand crews, one water tender, seven engines, two excavators, and 10 tracked vehicles. A helicopter is available if needed. Also, local volunteer fire departments are available if needed.

Cooperators in the effort include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Forestry and Wildlife Divisions, Lake of the Woods County, Beltrami County, and Red Lake Tribe, Minnesota Agency-Bureau of Indian Affairs, and local fire departments.  

On Tuesday, fire crews planned to confine the fire, using existing natural barriers and environmental breaks and continue work on the south flank. In addition, mop up into the fire 300 feet where possible and staff plan to assess and establish firefighter access on the north and west flanks where there is limited access. 

The fire continues to smolder; burning in duff and peat in remote areas of the Red Lake WMA. Fighting wildfires safely and effectively in peat lands requires a different tactical approach. Peat fires generally occur during extended drought conditions. Once ignited, these fires are particularly difficult to extinguish despite extensive rains, snow, weather changes or firefighting attempts, and can persist for long periods of time, spreading deep — up to 15 feet — and over extensive areas. Recent snowfall and rains have helped tremendously in reducing the intensity of the fire on the surface. However, it will require significant precipitation to put the fire out below ground. Peat fires can burn almost indefinitely, and can even reignite after winter snows.

Several forest roads into the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area remain closed to public use to provide for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression operations. Closed roads include West Bankton Forest Road off of Faunce Road on the east side of the WMA, and West Rapid River Forest Road on the south side of the WMA from Oaks Corner to Mertz’s Corner. East Moose River Road on the west side of the WMA is also closed. Canning Forest Road, Spina Forest Road, and Faunce Forest Road on the east side of the WMA were reopened for public use Tuesday. The public is cautioned that there will still be some fire traffic. Drivers should drive slow, with their headlights on, and watch out for heavy equipment.

For information on large fires in Minnesota, visit  http://www.mnics.org.