Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Districts Continue Prescribed Fires this Spring

The Superior National Forest plans to continue spring prescribed fire operations. Fire managers expect to implement the Kawishiwi Lakes unit on May 26, followed by the Sunfish prescribed fire planned on May 28 or 29, depending on conditions.

Prescribed fires can only occur when vegetation, temperature, humidity, and wind fall within the prescribed fire’s specific requirements.

Kawishiwi Lake Units

• Located within the Kawishiwi Lake Roadless Area off the Sawbill Trail (Tofte Ranger District)
• Total 1,911 acres across two units
• Objectives: reduce hazardous fuels, reduce brush to invigorate tree growth, create mosaics of young and old forest, and improve moose habitat

Sunfish Unit

• 775 acres, located south of Greenwood Lake off the Gunflint Trail (Gunflint Ranger District)
• Includes both National Forest System lands and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources land
• Objectives: reduce hazardous fuels and create defensible space from wildfire around lake properties and other important landscape values; improve moose habitat, and reintroduce fire to the landscape

Fact sheets, maps, and a Q&A document will be posted to forest’s  Inciweb prescribed fire page. Facts sheets and the Q&A are posted on the Announcements page.

Safety, Closures, and Smoke

Public and firefighter safety remain the top priority. No recreation or road closures are expected. During active burning:

• Travelers may see smoke or flames in the units
• Roadways will be posted with signs
• Smoke may settle in low areas during evening hours
• Visitors should use caution around dead or burned trees  

Why use prescribed burning?

Prescribed fires are wildland fires originating from a planned ignition in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations to meet specific objectives:

• Protect communities and infrastructure by reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of high intensity wildfires
• Improve habitat for species such as kestrel, woodcock, moose, white tail deer, black bear, meadow vole and the rare Nabokov blue butterfly
• Limit invasive plant species and support native ecosystems
• Promote growth of trees, plants, wildflowers, and blueberries
• Support indigenous Tribes’ long-standing cultural practice of fire use to maintain the boreal forest’s natural fire cycle

Drone

For safety of our pilots and firefighters, drones are prohibited near or over any fire area. in fire areas. When you fly, we can’t.

Additional Information

For prescribed fire information, visit the Superior National Forest website and sign up for email news. Follow the forest’s Facebook and Twitter/X for updates.