Ely mayor reflects on wildfire reponse

Cutting burned pine
A firefighter cuts away a burned and blackened red pine that had partially fallen and hung up against other trees. Crews with chainsaws spent much of Friday taking down burned trees that were in danger of falling across Minnesota Hwy. 1 east and south of Ely.
Steve Foss for MPR

Highway 1 near Ely has reopened, as crews continue to mop up hot spots around a forest fire that started late last week.

Officials say the fire is now 90 percent contained. Residents who evacuated were allowed to return to their homes over the weekend.

Ely Mayor Roger Skraba tells Morning Edition he believes the city's emergency plan went "good to pretty good."

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