11:30 AM Monday, 8/16/2021
All of the information below is from the Ely Echo
- Greenwood fire is on track to head toward Highway 1 after Sunday night’s activity.
- There are 6 fire departments protecting structures in the McDougal Lake area including Morse-Fall Lake, Ely, Babbitt, Silver Bay, Two Harbors and Finland.
- USFS is closing the McDougal Lake recreation area due to the Greenwood fire.
- Minnesota National Guard has been called in for wildfire response in northern Minnesota per Tim Walz and the Emergency Executive Order.
Today will be another very warm and breezy day across the Northland with high temperatures in the 80s to lower 90s. Winds will be out of the south at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.
Wind direction over the Greenwood fire is forecast to remain out of the south-southwest, to south-southeast, any fire spread would continue off to the north/northeast at least through Thursday.
Relative humidity levels have come up a bit today due to somewhat more moisture (higher dew points) compared to the last few days, but with the area in an ongoing drought, warm temps and gusty winds, near critical fire weather conditions are likely once again across northeast Minnesota through this evening. Note: Fire officials report that fuels are excessively dry across northeast Minnesota. These conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires.
Fire danger for Monday, August 16, 2021 is rated to be Extreme (red) to Very High (orange) in all of northern and northeastern Minnesota.
Burning Restrictions as of August 16, 2021
-Outlook for the next few days doesn’t look a whole lot better in northeast Minnesota, with more very warm and dry conditions likely through Thursday. There are chances for rain Friday-early Saturday, but it remains to be seen just how much rain will end up getting late this week.
High Temperature Reports from Sunday, August 15, 2021
Note: *=New Record High Temperature set for the date
Cotton, MN: 94
Brainerd, MN: 91
Orr, MN: 91
Bigfork, MN: 91
2 E Celina, MN: 91
Cook, MN: 90
International Falls, MN: *90
Sky Harbor Airport: 90
Grand Rapids, MN: 89
Cass Lake, MN: 89
Superior, WI: 89
Northome, MN: 89
Babbitt, MN: 89
Embarrass, MN: 89
2 S Tower, MN: 89
Two Harbors, MN: 88
Ely, MN: 88
Ashland, WI: 88
Crane Lake, MN: 88
Eveleth, MN: 88
Longville, MN: 88
Pine River, MN: 88
Aitkin, MN: 88
Moose Lake, MN: 88
Hinckley, MN: 88
Walker, MN: 88
Hibbing, MN: 87
Record to near record warmth is possible again today in the Northland, with Hibbing and possibly International Falls having the best chance at tying or setting a new record high temperature for today’s date.
Record Highs for August 16
Brainerd, MN: 98 set in 1988
Ashland, WI: 95 set in 1937 and 1988
International Falls, MN: 93 set in 1971
Duluth, MN: 91 set in 1988
Hibbing, MN: 89 set in 1988 and 2003
Tim
