ELY — The Superior National Forest plans to begin prescribed burns as early as this week.
In a Thursday, Sept. 11, news release, the agency said the pile burns will begin on the eastern side of the Forest’s Gunflint and Tofte ranger districts, pending required approvals. The western side of the forest will see prescribed burns when conditions improve.
The work is likely to continue through December as weather conditions allow. Prescribed burns are used to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect from wildfires.
"Prescribed fire is any fire ignited by management actions to meet specific objectives," stated the USDA on a webpage. "We use it as a tool for fuels reduction, vegetation management and wildlife habitat maintenance."
The Gunflint burn areas include approximately 1,500 acres. The Tofte burn areas include about 1,600 acres.
Weather conditions will be evaluated before burns begin and county emergency management officials will be notified of prescribed burning activity.
-
Contributed/Commission on Judicial SelectionRoseau County Assistant Attorney Michael Grover will assume the bench in Roseau upon the retirement of Judge Donna K. Dixon in the 9th Judicial District. -
Contributed/Minnesota Bureau of Criminal ApprehensionAntonio Jose Sarazua, 25, was last seen leaving his home at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, according to an alert from the sheriff's office shared Wednesday. -
Contributed/United Way of Bemidji AreaLive United Day in Bemidji is Sept. 17, 2025. Local businesses can join the celebration by signing up for a Live United kit, which will be delivered directly. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerThe Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability will have Republican and DFL members, and will travel around the state to hear from Minnesotans impacted. -
Plus: West Fraser receives a Job Creation Fund grant from DEED; and the DNR predicts a vibrant fall color season. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEEyewitnesses told police Schumacker swerved into oncoming traffic on the 600 block of Second Avenue North and struck two different vehicles. -
Contributed/Paul Bunyan CommunicationsCooperative Paul Bunyan Communications reported various projects are on track as construction season in Northern MN nears its end, including those in Coleraine and Bovey. -
ElderCircle of Grand Rapids will receive funds for its programming in Itasca County, and the U of M Regents will host a gathering on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe reservation. -
Contributed/MnDOTMnDOT said motorists can expect flagging operations, lane closures and pilot cars during daylight working hours. There may be extended delays, especially during commute times. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe maintenance, grounds and agricultural workers at the U's North Central Research and Outreach Center picketed along Highway 169 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.
