Fall Lake, MN (AP Photo)
ELY, Minn. (KFGO/CBS Minnesota) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he is considering calling a special session next month focusing on the wildfires that have devastated 72,500 acres of forest across the U.S. and Canada, as well as community recovery.
Walz and other officials provided an update Monday morning in Ely, Minnesota, saying that there has been significant progress in the last few days in the fight against the wildfires. On average, 53% of the fires have been contained since a lightning storm swept through the Northland in early July.
Walz said he hasn’t yet formally spoken to the state Senate and House leadership, though he floated the idea last week for the special session.
The potential session could last around a day, on either Aug. 11 or Aug. 12, he said. Walz said its sole focus would be on the wildfires and economic recovery.
“I think it’s really important for us to keep this narrowly focused to the fires and recovery of northern Minnesota and not try and add anything else to that special session. I don’t think that would be appropriate, but that’s a negotiation that will have to happen,” he said.
Businesses owners in Ely say the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closure and brief period of hazardous air quality have been devastating for the local economy. Ely City Council Member Emily Roose said everyone from canoe trip outfitters to local restaurants are feeling the impact, adding that the city is open, and there are areas outside of the Boundary Waters that are safe to camp in and explore.
State Rep. Roger Skraba said it’s possible that the businesses could recoup some of that lost income in August, as visitors are eager to return to the wilderness and aid the community.
Parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness reopened for day use on Monday after nearly two weeks of closure. U.S. Forest Service officials say if there’s no significant wildfire activity in the coming days, some entry points to the forest could reopen for overnight use on Thursday. Officials said during the Monday news conference that a formal decision about overnight permits would be announced later in the day.
Forest service officials are managing three large fires within the Boundary Waters: the 4,958 acre Little Knife fire, the 37,837 Bear Trap fire and the 17,236 acre Thumb fire. The Thumb fire is 56% contained as of Monday morning, while the other two are both 38% contained.
There are several other fires within the Superior National Forest ranging in size from 15 acres to 12,000 acres.
Officials Monday thanked local residents for adhering to the evacuation notices.
Forest service officials say they expect Monday to be the warmest of the next few days. Afternoon thunderstorms could bring more lightning and the potential for more fire starts, they said
Comments