Report on the Tuesday Fire

MN Dept of Natural Resources, 7/4/02

The Tuesday Fire near Greenwood Lake increased considerably in size on July 3 when it exceeded containment lines. The current acreage is about 400.
Greenwood Lake is about 12 miles north west of Grand Marais just off the Gunflint Trail. The fire is currently burning in Grand Portage State Forest and spread yesterday to the east. Fire containment is 20%. Cause of the fire was determined to be lightning.

Three CL-215s and a helicopter worked most of the afternoon and until dark trying to keep the Tuesday Fire contained. About 5:00 pm an additional aircraft was requested from Canada, a CL-415 was sent and worked on the fire until dark. A total of 151 airdrops were done yesterday. Three National Guard Black hawk helicopters are being activated to assist with operations today.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect for the area within 5 nautical miles of the fire. Any aircraft wanting to fly over the fire must obtain permission by calling the Incident Command Post at 218 475-2210 or by radio
making contact on 122.925. An air attack officer will give instructions on how to enter the air space to keep it safe for all air operations.

Weather forecast for Independence Day is for a dry, warm day with switching winds; not good news for firefighters.

Additional dozers were ordered to aid in suppression today. Three twenty person and five, five person additional crews will report to the Incident
this afternoon. One twenty-person crew will be arriving from Michigan.  About 135 people are working on the fire.

A burnout operation this morning will produce a visible column of smoke.  There will be heavy traffic and lots of dust on the Arrowhead Trail and the Gunflint Trail from firefighting equipment. Please alert people to drive
carefully in these areas.

DUTY OFFICER: Jean Bergerson cell phone 218-259-3656

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