Jenkins Creek Fire Update: NIMO to transfer management to Laurentian Ranger District

On June 15th at 7AM, the National Incident Management Team (NIMO) will transfer the management of the Jenkins Creek Fire to the Laurentian Ranger District of Superior National Forest.

JENKINS CREEK FIRE: 98% contained, 16,490 acres

“The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/Drone) units completed the mapping of the fire, and the acreage has been adjusted to reflect more accurate mapping,” said the NIMO team. “One UAS/Drone module will remain with the fire and continue to look for any heat signatures. Two masticators along the 420J and 420 Roads are completing up to ½ mile per day of fuels reduction due to the heavy, thick vegetation along the contingency line area. Three masticators are moving up the 425 Road from the Bundle Lake Road, continuing fuels reduction efforts.”

Crews will complete the remaining saw work and cleaning debris from the road along Bundle Lake Road to Town Line Road before moving to 425 Road. An engine crew is stationed at Skibo Vista, acting as lookouts for any remaining smoke, along with acting as “human repeaters,” relaying radio information throughout the fire area.

An aurora is expected Sunday afternoon which may impact communications in the area. Skies are expected to remain cloudy throughout the day with colder temperatures and mild winds.

“Wildfires can pose risks to the public and firefighters even after they are contained. Dangers such as fire weakened trees, ash pits and burned stump holes/root chambers can be present and difficult to see. Wildfires can damage a tree’s roots, trunk and canopy making them susceptible to wind events, that can down trees and branches causing injury and/or death,” said the NIMO team. “Stay out of burned forest areas during windy conditions. Trees, power poles and other tall objects or structures may have lost their stability. Ash pits are created when a ground fire burns underground fuels creating an empty space that isn’t visible and can cause burns and injuries. Burned stumps create large holes but the root system underneath may collapse under a person’s or vehicle’s weight.”