Gusty winds increase the fire concerns Monday
The sun rises above the Mississippi River valley at the start of another warm, hazy summer day on Saturday, as seen from South St. Paul, Minn.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News |
Heat and drought conditions are forecast to continue this week in Minnesota, with temperatures climbing into the 90s across much of the state and little rain — putting additional stress on crops and expanding the threat of wildfires.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Friday that with 52 percent of the state in severe or extreme drought, there’s now a drought warning in effect. Water levels are low on the Mississippi River, which supplies drinking water for many communities, and widespread rain isn’t in the forecast anytime soon.
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Wildland firefighting crews conduct mop-up work on the Delta Lake fire east of Ely, Minn.
Eastern Area Type 2 Incident Management Team | Courtesy Superior National Forest |
Rangers worked through the weekend to reach campers spread across a vast swath of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that's now closed to visitors amid a growing threat from wildfires.
Superior National Forest officials late Saturday temporarily closed 12 more BWCA entry points and the lakes, campsites, portages and trails they serve north and northwest of Ely.
Added to a previous closure in place along the international border, the closure area now stretches east nearly to Basswood Lake, west nearly to Crane Lake, and south to the Echo Trail.
The area is being cleared of canoeists and hikers as a precaution as wildfires continue to burn unchecked just north of the border, in Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park. The fires were active over the weekend and the ongoing drought is making fire conditions more volatile — adding to the risk the Quetico fires may cross into the BWCA. | |
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| – Michael Olson , MPR News | | |
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