Lake County Orders Evacuations as 16 Minnesota Wildfires Burn and Thumb Fire Reaches 6,500 Acres
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 14
Lake County Orders Evacuations as 16 Minnesota Wildfires Burn and Thumb Fire Reaches 6,500 Acres
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 14
Summary
Lake County ordered residents in the Fernberg Road Corridor outside Winton to evacuate Tuesday morning, with a temporary evacuation point set at the Babbitt Municipal Building.
Sixteen wildfires were burning in the Superior National Forest early Tuesday, including four in the Boundary Waters; the largest, the lightning-caused Thumb Fire, had grown to about 6,500 acres by Monday.
Crews are suppressing the fires with aircraft dropping water on larger blazes, while two-person teams are moving campsite to campsite in the Boundary Waters to make sure visitors leave.
The Forest Service closed all Boundary Waters entry points Monday, canceled permits and reservations through Friday, and said some areas could remain shut for the rest of the season.
Hot, sunny weather near 100 degrees and afternoon winds around 16 mph prompted a red flag warning Tuesday for Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties.