Isle Royale wildfire conditions improve, remains under investigation

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WJMN) – UPDATE: On Tuesday, Isle Royale National Park Officials provided an update on the Mt. Franklin Fire announcing improved conditions and the reopening of some trails.

In Tuesday’s release, favorable weather conditions are credited with the slowed spread of the fire, which allowed firefighters to put a hose line around the perimeter. The fire is suppressed, but not considered contained.

More refined measurements of the fire put the size at 6 acres. High humidity and minimal wind over the next couple of days, fire behavior is expected to be minimal.

With fire concerns and the possibility of falling trees still present, the following areas are still closed.

Greenstone Ridge Trail from the Ojibway Trail Junction, east to the Tobin-Duncan Portage Trail Junction
Lane Cove Trail (Lane Cove Campground is open for paddlers)
Mount Franklin Trail
Tobin Harbor Trail between the Mount Franklin Trail and Suzy’s Cave Trail (Suzy’s Cave Trail is open)
North side of the Three Mile Dock to allow unrestricted NPS vessel access
Cross-Country Camping Zones 8, 8A, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 33, 36 are closed for camping
Other areas if directed by fire personnel

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Park officials are asking anyone who was in the area of Three Mile trail and campground, Tobin Harbor trail, or Mount Franklin trail on August 12 or 13 or have information that would be helpful, to submit a tip. They can be submitted anonymously.

CALL or TEXT the Tip Line: 888-653-0009

ONLINE: go.nps.gov/SubmitATip

EMAIL: nps_isb@nps.gov

UPDATE: The wildfire first reported on Saturday near Tobin Harbor and the Mt. Franklin Trail on Isle Royale has slowed in growth, according to the National Park Service. The fire has reportedly seen little expansion in the past day, in part due to favorable weather, as NPS personnel and wildland firefighters continue working to contain the blaze.

The total size of the fire currently sits at 5.7 acres, down from initial estimates of about 11. The percent of the fire that has been contained has also not been released at this time as onsite firefighters continue work to extinguish the fire.

PREVIOUS: Campgrounds and parts of Isle Royale National Park are closed to visitor access while efforts continue to contain a wildfire on the Island.

In a release from National Park officials, reports came in on Saturday afternoon for reports of smoke coming from a wildfire in the Three Mile campground area. Isle Royale firefighters arrived to find flames burning roughly five acreas in the area of Tobin Harbor trail and Mt. Franklin trail. Visitors were evacuated from the area and from the surrounding Rock Harbor, Tobin Harbor, Mt. Franklin, and Greenstone Ridge trails for their safety.

The fire doubled in size to ten acres on Saturday. A single engine air tanker flew in from Minnesota to drop approximately 4,000 gallons of water on the area. More fire resources were expected to arrive on Sunday.

Park officials list the closure of the following areas of the island until the fire is contained:

Mount Ojibway Trail
Lane Cove Trail and Campground
Three Mile Campground and Dock
Greenstone Ridge Trail from the Daisy Farm Trail junction east to the Tobin-Duncan Portage Trail junction
Rock Harbor Trail between Daisy Farm Campground and Rock Harbor
Mount Franklin Trail
Tobin Harbor Trail
Suzy’s Cave Trail
Cross-Country Camping Zones 8, 8A, 9A, 10, 11, 12, 13, 33 and 36 are closed for camping as well as cross-country day use
Other areas if directed by fire personnel