Crews battling a fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildnerness are preparing this afternoon to light several small fires around the perimeter line of a wildfire that threatens the Gunflint Trail.
Gil Knight, an information officer working from a command center several miles from the main fire, said the strategy is designed to contain the larger fire by consuming some of its remaining fuel sources before it can reach the perimeter line.
So far, about 1 1/2-square miles of forest have burned in a fire that started July 30 between Alpine and Seagull lakes, northwest of Grand Marais, Minn. The fire is several miles from the Gunflint Trail, where a number of homes and businesses are located.
About one tenth of an inch of rain fell on the area Tuesday, dampening flames and helping crews fighting to contain the fire.
Today broke clear and pleasant, Knight said, with temperatures in the mid 70s and very little wind.Minneapolis Star Tribune
