Photo: Sara Schoonover (left) and Ali Tetrick unloaded supplies after being flown to an inaccessible area near the Knife Lake fire.
After hot, dry conditions in northern Minnesota sparked several fires in the BWCA in August, two Corps crews were called on to assist in bringing one of them under control. The U.S. Forest Service flew crews from Mankato and Brainerd into an inaccessible area on the south arm of Knife Lake, northeast of Ely. Crew Leader Nik Kadel said, “The FS people cared about teaching us skills like radio use and paddling as well as concepts such as fire behavior, weather dynamics and time management. We felt like a welcome part of the team.” Forest Service fire fighters appreciated how hard they worked and the attention they paid to instructions and safety. Nick Petrack, Incident Commander trainee and operations chief on the fire said, “Their work was an essential part of the success of this mission. We would be glad to have the CCM crews back, anytime.” The fire, which was likely caused by a lightning strike, burned 188 acres before it was brought under control. In addition to Kadel, team members included Julien Babel, Peter Lechnir, John Mazurowski, Preston Osland, Heidi Rudolph, Sara Schoonover, Steve Sveine, Ali Tetrick and Erik Wermel. Read more.
