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.
-
Plus: The Bagley City Council is deliberating whether to expand its police department or disband it to contract with the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office; 3 Northlanders medaled at the state swimming and diving meet; and Northland football teams end season after semifinal losses. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThrough a partnership with the Nature Conservancy, Endazhi-Nitaawiging, Red Lake's first charter school, celebrated the arrival of its new pontoon with family boat rides and hot chocolate on Nov. 12, 2025. -
Contributed/City of HermantownMinneapolis-based Mortenson Development wrote in a letter that it wishes to host a public open house before proceeding. -
Contributed/Two Harbors Agates Swim and DivePark Rapids' Avery Schueller placed third in the 50 freestyle and fifth in the 100 freestyle, and Two Harbors' Bella Imholte ended seventh in the 200 freestyle. -
Contributed/Lancaster SchoolGrand Rapids, Mahnomen/Waubun, Fertile-Beltrami and Kittson County Central all lost, despite multiple attempts at fourth-quarter comebacks. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicThe incident near Onigum Road NW, northeast of Walker, is under investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. -
Red Lake Nation's charter school, Endazhi-Nitaawiging, recently partnered with the Nature Conservancy for a new pontoon, with a few school families braving cool temperatures to celebrate its arrival on Nov. 12, 2025.
-
Plus: Local leaders sign the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota.
-
Contributed/Chelsey PerkinsFrom sporting events to first days of school, annual festivals to spontaneous gatherings, moments of triumph or devastating tragedies, Kohls documented it as part of the first draft of history. -
Megan Buffington/KAXECurrent and former state legislators, city councilors and business and other community leaders signed the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota in Grand Rapids.
