Birch Bay Fire 2026
Birch Bay Fire has burned 35 acres, burning 8 miles northwest of Ely.
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Mid-afternoon on June 1st, a wildfire was detected approximately ½ mile west of the Lindskog Road/North Arm Road and west of the North Arm of Burntside Lake on the Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. The Birch Bay Fire burned into part of a previously established prescribed fire unit called Geraldine. Birch Bay Fire reported 100% containment the evening of June 6, 2026. Management of the Birch Bay Fire transitioned to a Superior National Forest qualified Type 4 Incident Commander on the morning of June 7, 2026.
A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-State Fire Investigator has determined that the fire likely originated during chainsaw operations associated with fuels reduction and prescribed fire preparation work being conducted by U.S. Forest Service personnel. Inquiries regarding the origin investigation should be sent to Public Affairs Officer Joy VanDrie via email: joy.vandrie@usda.gov.