MINNEAPOLIS
The forest fire burning since August in northeastern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is now 90 percent contained, authorities said Sunday.
But danger posed by the Pagami Creek fire remains. Strong winds Saturday and Sunday hampered the moving of equipment on the fire line and caused crews to pull back late Saturday afternoon when the winds made the airborne portion of the firefighting operation unsafe, according to Cynthia Sage, a public information officer for the state Department of Natural Resources.
As of Sunday, the fire had blackened 92,682 acres, or 144.8 square miles, and 317 people were still fighting it. Crews were continuing to work on line construction in the Ferne Lake and Bog Lake areas, with other areas being patrolled. Firefighters and resources have been released as containment of the blaze has increased.
Road closures for areas adjacent to the fire remain in place, Sage said.
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Cold, windy weather is expected to continue Monday; by Monday night and Tuesday, sprinkles and snow flurries are possible, according to the National Weather Service.
The Pagami Creek fire has been burning since Aug. 18, when it was sparked by lightning east of Ely, Minn.
Distributed by MCT Information Services
