Snow expected for much of Minnesota Tuesday with expanding winter storm warnings across the state.

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(AP)  Fire officials kept a nervous eye on
the wind Friday, fearful of a shift that could push a fast-moving
wildfire back toward homes and businesses near the Gunflint Trail.
     
 Almost a week after it began, the fire in Minnesota's parched
north woods had grown to nearly 47 square miles, with another 39
burning in Canada. At least 270 people had checked in at an
evacuation center outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and eight
more were evacuated from the Canadian side of the border.
  

    Firefighters hoped that Friday's cooler weather and higher
humidity would work in their favor, but a real chance of rain was
days away. Because of uncertain fire conditions, residents were
told they couldn't go back home just yet.

      "This is a very large fire, it's a very serious situation. And
we all know how dry it is out there. So, we've got a lot of work
ahead of us, unfortunately, but I think we're going to be able to
get through it," said Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk.

      Thursday's gusting winds pushed the fire east into Canada, then
back toward the southeast, where flames jumped Gunflint Lake and
the Gunflint Trail. The path of the fire looked like a giant finger
on a map, reaching out over the lake. On Friday, the wind was
expected to shift again and come from the east, which had the
potential to push the entire finger of the fire back to the west,
said Bill Paxton, a fire information officer.

      Paxton said the primary focus of firefighters would be to keep
structures to the west of the blaze safe.
      However, the fire was still unpredictable Friday, said Mark Van
Every, a spokesman at the fire, as he pointed to a map that
outlined areas that had been burned.

      "You can tell how fast (the fire) is changing because it's
drawn in magic marker," said Van Every. "We don't know where
exactly this fire is moving or how fast."

      The fire had closed about half of the 57-mile long Gunflint
Trail, a key route from Grand Marais into the wilderness that is
dotted with resorts and lake homes.

      The fire burned through a campground Friday, but there were no
immediate reports of additional structures lost. More than 45
structures were known to be destroyed since the fire began at
remote Ham Lake on Saturday, and about 200 homes remained at risk.

      Some 600 firefighters from across the country were on the scene
Friday, with more on the way. They were supported by about a dozen
helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and several bulldozers.

      The cost of fighting the fire was at $1.9 million and rising.

      Fire officials had no estimate for when the blaze would be under
control. It's burning through an area in prolonged drought, and the
weather service has said the fire danger in northern Minnesota
would remain "very high to extreme" until significant rain falls.

      Fire officials met with residents Friday, and reported that many
of the entry points to the Boundary Waters along the Gunflint were
closed. The wilderness area is a popular destination for canoeists
and anglers, and the state's walleye fish opener is this weekend.

      Residents at the public meeting said they appreciated the public
meetings and were happy to get as much information as possible. But
they said they're also simply glad to see each other and know their
neighbors are OK.

      "The great thing about Grand Marais, this whole area, is how
everybody sticks together," said Les Edinger, 70, a year-round
resident of the southern edge of Gunflint Lake. "The reason we
like living here is because everybody helps everybody."

      Some residents said they felt they needed to be among their
friends and neighbors.

      "This is a very strong community. And I think it's proven with
all the people that are here, that in tough times, we all bond
together," Falk said.

      Falk choked up at Friday's briefing as he singled out former
sheriff Dave Wirt. After a 1999 windstorm leveled millions of trees
in and around the Boundary Waters, heightening the fire danger,
Wirt was instrumental in writing emergency response and evacuation
plans, Falk said.

      "He developed a plan and now we're executing it," Falk said,
his voice wavering. "And I just want to thank you, Dave." The
crowd of evacuees applauded.


Gallery

Dry weather fueling Ham Lake fire

May a month with many wildfires in Minnesota

Fire on the Gunflint Trail

Disasters

Amy Forliti, Associated Press

Author

Almost a week after it began, the fire in Minnesota's parched
north woods had grown to nearly 47 square miles, with another 39
burning in Canada.

Firefighters get a break in the weather, but no rain soon for Gunflint Trail

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