Birch Bay wildfire near Ely now 43% contained, evacuations lifted

On Friday afternoon, the Birch Bay wildfire, which is burning eight miles northwest of Ely, was 43% contained according to the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest.

The fire started on June 1 and is 35 acres in size. The evacuation order for residents was lifted on Thursday, but officials are still telling residents to be cautious due to heavy equipment and firefighter traffic in the area.

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Eighty-one personnel from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service and Incident Management Team are currently working to put out the fire, extinguish hot spots and smoldering debris and cleaning up and cutting down any hazardous trees or branches that have fallen.

A drone is being used to map the wildfire, and therefore there is a Temporary Flight Restriction in place — meaning that people cannot fly their own drones or other unmanned aerial systems in the area.

While there are no road closures in effect, officials are asking people to stay away from the North Arm Road area.

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