Environment Archives - Page 10 of 29

Greenwood Fire Now 37% Contained as Incident Command Post Works from Finland

The boots-on-the-ground operations crew remains in Isabella, burning tactical fires to eliminate potential fuel to keep the main fire boxed in.

August 30, 2021

Arman Rahman,

FINLAND, Minn.- Fire crews hope to continue the momentum against the 26,000 acre Greenwood fire, now 37% contained as of Monday evening thanks to recent rainy weather, and now moving their Incident Command Post to Finland while operations remain in Isabella right near the blaze. “In terms of wildland fire, the goal is to be mobile, adaptable, resilient,” said Clark…

Hurricane Ida Strikes Louisiana on 16-Year Anniversary of Katrina; New Orleans Hunkers Down

The Category 4 storm hit Sunday with winds of 150 mph (230 kph).

August 29, 2021

Arman Rahman,

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Hurricane Ida has blasted ashore along the Louisiana coast as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., rushing toward New Orleans and one of the nation’s most important industrial corridors. The Category 4 storm hit Sunday with winds of 150 mph (230 kph). It was the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana…

Weather Helps Keep Greenwood Fire 14% Contained, Evacuations Lifted for Slate Lake

A weather system Sunday afternoon is expected to bring lower humidity and potentially strong wind gusts.

August 29, 2021

Arman Rahman,

NEAR ISABELLA, Minn.- The Greenwood Fire continued to sit at 25,991 acres and 14% contained Sunday, with some evacuation orders lifted. Officials say dryer weather is in the forecast and drought conditions will continue. According to a spokesperson with the Superior National Forest, hand crews and heavy equipment operators took advantage of cool temperatures, high humidity, and light rain Saturday…

Tornado Watch Issued for East-Central Minnesota, Northwest Wisconsin

According to National Weather Service, large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are all possible.

August 28, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 4 p.m. Saturday for much of east-central Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin. According to a post on their Facebook page, large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are all possible. Categories: Environment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Weather in the News, Wisconsin Tags: Hail, national weather service,…

Greenwood Fire Won’t Be ‘Extinguished’ Until Snow Falls

The fire was estimated at 25,991 acres Thursday.

August 26, 2021

Arman Rahman,

NEAR ISABELLA, Minn.,- For those who thought the incoming rain would help fight the Greenwood wildfire, officials Thursday said it’ll be snow that likely provides the moisture needed to bring the almost 26,000-acre fire down. “And this’ll be a long-term incident, of course,” Incident Commander Brian Pisarek said. “Put this out as probably snowfall as what’s gonna extinguish it, in…

Officials Update Greenwood Fire Mapping, Plan Public Meeting For Monday

August 22, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

FINLAND, Minn. — A public meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. where officials will provide updates on the Greenwood Fire, as well as the fires burning in the Superior National Forest which have caused the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to close. Presentations will be given by the Forest Service, the Incident Command Team, and the local sheriff….

BWCAW Closed for One Week Due to Multiple Wildfires, Limited Resources

Crews haven't seen a full closure of the BWCAW in more than 40 years.

August 21, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Superior National Forest closed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Saturday, due to active and increasing fire activity, extreme drought, and limited resources. The closure will be in place for seven days and may be modified or extended as conditions allow. “A full-on, a full closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that is, that’s…

Update: Greenwood Fire Nears 10K Acres, Containment Remains at 0%

The fire received minimal precipitation Friday night. Crews anticipate that winds capable of producing active fire behavior will continue.

August 21, 2021

Arman Rahman,

Photo: Superior National Forest SOUTH OF ISABELLA, Minn.- Crews continue battling the Greenwood Fire as it grew to 9,062 acres Saturday morning after minimal precipitation and high winds overnight, according to the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest. On Saturday, operations staff will reinforce the southern line of the fire in the area of Hwy 2 and the McDougal Lake area….

Duluth Fire Responds To Overturned Sailboat off Park Point

The boat belonged to the Duluth Superior Sailing Association, and officials there said they train young sailors how to overturn a flipped boat.

August 15, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Wind gusts over 30 miles an hour Sunday made sailing a little difficult, resulting in a water emergency call on the bay-side of Park Point. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Fire Department Marine 1 and Marine 19 responded to a sailboat that flipped with the report of a person struggling in the water. The boat belonged…

Large Wildfire Ignites 15 Miles SW Of Isabella

Some camp sites have been evacuated and closed until further notice.

August 15, 2021

Dan Hanger,

Greenwood Fire/USDA Forest Service GREENWOOD LAKE, Minn. — A large wildfire ignited around 3 p.m. Sunday near Greenwood Lake — about 15 miles southwest of Isabella, Minn. Courtesy: Karl Kaufmann The USDA Forest Service did not immediately have the current size of the fire, other than it being estimated at a couple hundred acres and moving quickly. “The Forest Service…

Lake Superior Water Levels Remain Below Record Levels

The Corps does not expect water levels to go up the rest of the month.

August 11, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — New data by the Army Corps of Engineers show that Lake Superior’s water level has fallen again after hitting a record high two years ago. This is due in part to the lack of rain this summer. While other Great Lakes have experienced a rise in their levels, Lake Superior is still twelve inches below its highest…

Duluth Fire Rescues 20-Year-Old Woman from Rip Currents off Park Point

Two rescue swimmers from rescue 1 were able to use a rescue surfboard to reach the victim, and help her to shore.

August 7, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A 20-year-old woman was swept up in those violent waves Saturday and had to be rescued by the Duluth fire Department. Fire officials responded to the report of a woman pulled away 200 yards from shore on the 2800 block of Minnesota Ave around 4:00 p.m. The water was actually too choppy to use the Marine 19 boat,…

Duluth Fire Warns of Dangerous Swimming Conditions Due to High Rip Current Risk

Officials warn to stay out of the water regardless of your swimming experience.

August 7, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Fire Department issued a dangerous swimming condition warning for Park Point beaches Saturday, due to the high risk of rip currents, effective immediately. According to the Duluth Fire Department the warning lasts until 10:00 a.m. August 8. This warning means that wind and wave conditions can support rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the…

Iron Ore Trade Up in July on Great Lakes

Iron ore shipments are 5.2 percent above their 5-year average for the first seven months of the year.

August 5, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

CLEVELAND, OH – Great Lakes iron ore trade was up 61.8% in July. Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.7 million tons in July, an increase of 61.8 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments were also 3.2 percent above the month’s 5-year average. Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 26.4 million tons, an increase of 27.6 percent compared to…

Frost River Trading Now Offering Rentals

August 4, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Frost River Trading has officially announced the opening of their new rental center out of their storefront in Lincoln Park today. The rental center offers some of frost rivers best back packs, bags and tents to take out on day trips or even longer adventures. Staff is excited to allow people the opportunity to try out some of…

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Begin 2021 Harbor Dredging

The Army Corps of Engineers will be dredging 40 thousand cubic yards of sediment from the harbor.

August 3, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Some portions of beach along Park Point will close for about a month starting this week for The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin 2021 dredging in the harbor. While the dredging won’t affect traffic the beach from 7th Street to 12th Street will be closed for about a month and a half. The Army Corps of…

Forgotten Oil And Gas Wells Linger, Leaking Toxic Chemicals

August 3, 2021

The Associated Press,

CRANE, Texas (AP) — Rusted pipes litter the sandy fields of Ashley Williams Watt’s cattle ranch in windswept West Texas. The corroded skeletons are all that remain of hundreds of abandoned oil wells that were drilled long before her family owned the land. The wells, unable to produce any useful amounts of oil or gas, were plugged with cement decades…

More Bears Are Stealing Food From Campers As Drought Impacts Berry Supply In Northern Minnesota

August 1, 2021

Site Staff,

(FOX 9) – As drought conditions linger in Minnesota, Superior National Forest is warning campers to secure their food as reports of bears seeking out food from humans are on the rise. According to wildlife officials, the drought has led to a poor berry crop, a major food source for black bears. As a result, the forest has seen increased incidents of…

Minnesota Trappers Convention Returns to Barnum for 62nd Year

July 31, 2021

Arman Rahman,

BARNUM, Minn.- The 62nd Annual Minnesota Trappers Association Convention returned this weekend after a pandemic pause in 2020, continuing their work of “helping to perpetuate the nation’s oldest industry – the fur trade…to preserve the trapping heritage and your right to trap.” FOX 21 Photojournalist Adam Jagunich shows us the sights and sounds of the 2021 show. Categories: Community, Entertainment,…

Family’s Newly Purchased Home Among Extensive Storm Damage In Grand Rapids

Wind speeds during Monday night’s storms clocked in between 70 and 80 miles an hour in Grand Rapids, snapping trees and power poles and damaging homes.

July 27, 2021

Arman Rahman,

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Wind speeds during Monday night’s storms clocked in between 70 and 80 miles an hour in Grand Rapids, snapping trees and power poles and damaging homes – some where families just moved in. “It’s kind of unbelievable that’s for sure,” said Emily Major. The storm — and a big hole in the roof — was definitely not…

North Shore Cleans Up After Destructive Storm

July 27, 2021

Natalie Noury,

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– After 70 mile per hour winds whip through the Northland, Two Harbors spends the day cleaning up what is described as a short but destructive storm. The town was littered with debris from last nights storm and community members shared their initial reactions to what they saw and heard, including one homeowner who experienced the brunt of…

Registration Now Open for St. Louis River Alliance Canoe Trip

The Excursion is Taking Place Saturday, Aug. 7

July 26, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – After being sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) is bringing back its annual canoe trip. The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Paddlers will set sail from Woodstock Bay Landing in Superior. Participants are encouraged to register by Aug. 4 at 4…

Bowfest Makes an Impactful Return to Mont du Lac

July 24, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Record breaking attendances led to a successful weekend at Bowfest, which is billed as the worlds largest 3D archery and live music festival with both pro and amateur archers on site, and live music performances. “It’s honestly a wonderful feeling to see all these people come together, they’re from all over, we have plenty of new guests come,…

Great Outdoors Explores Gooseberry Falls

July 20, 2021

Natalie Noury,

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Drought conditions are common throughout the upper Midwest right now and that’s impacting some of the many tourist destinations up the North Shore, but Gooseberry Falls is still expecting a busy peak visitation stretch, despite the current lower water levels. Gooseberry Falls is described as the gateway to the North Shore. Located just 15 minutes North of…

Gooseberry Falls Experiencing Lower Water Levels

July 20, 2021

Natalie Noury,

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– The lack of rain is impacting some of the most picturesque places on the North Shore. Right now, the West section of Gooseberry falls isn’t quite “falling” the way it’s supposed to, as a portion of it has dried up. Annually, the falls see over 800,000 visitors a year to come see the upper, middle and lower…

Annual Lake Superior Day Celebration Returns to Barkers Island

July 18, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– The Lake Superior Day celebration returns to Barkers Island today where live music, food and stand-up paddle boarding is bringing people of all ages together to enjoy this hot summer day, and learn a little more about our Great Lake. Lake Superior Day is annually the third Sunday in July where numerous communities around Lake Superior get together…

Forest Service Managers Identify Two Fires From Canadian Wildfires with Potential to Spread into Minnesota

July 17, 2021

Site Staff,

As wildfires continue in Canada, Forest Service managers have identified two fires that have the potential to spread across the border into the Crooked Lake travel corridor of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and beyond to Crooked Lake and Iron Lake and other more heavily visited areas of the BWCA. Closures are now in place until fires in the region…

City of Superior Receives ‘America in Bloom’ Grant

This grant will allow the city to plant more than 300 different trees and plants, along different parks and trails in the city.

July 16, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– The City of Superior received a grant from a national organization to fill the city with more gardens. This grant will allow the city to plant more than 300 different trees and plants, along different parks and trails in the city. Superior was selected by America in Bloom after writing a proposal as the organization hopes to highlight…

UMD Land Lab Offering Summer Day Camps

July 16, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Summer camps are in full swing, and the UMD Land Lab is sponsoring a unique and free summer day camp opportunity for Duluth area high school students. This camp will allow high schoolers a hands on experience with harvesting vegetables, learning sustainable living skills, working with honeybees, and visiting the UMD campus for a sustainability tour. Through the…

Ruth’s Local Greens Makes a Nutritional Impact in the Twin Ports

Two Students from UMD started a business only 5 months ago, and are making an impact already through the Twin Ports.

July 12, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Two UMD students came together earlier this year to figure out how to bring a little more green to the Twin Ports in a local and sustainable way. Wanting to explore ways to provide nutritious food to the Northland led them to find a creative and year-round way to provide these healthy products. “We always had an interest…

Fire at AmericInn Hotel Still Under Investigation

July 12, 2021

Natalie Noury,

PROCTOR, Minn.– An investigation is underway in Proctor after fire broke out this morning at a hotel in town. Crews responded to the AmericInn Hotel around 10:45 AM on Monday morning along US highway 2, near Blackwoods. The hotel was fully booked at the time, but everyone was evacuated safely with no injuries. The flames were limited to the exterior…

Haze Blows Into Duluth Skies from Canada Wildfires

The haze was potentially problematic for those suffering from sensitive breathing.

July 11, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The skies above the Twin Ports getting getting choked by heavy smoke this weekend from wildfires in Canada making air quality poor. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the National Weather Service issued an air quality warning for all of this. It started Friday and ended Sunday morning. The haze was potentially problematic for those suffering from sensitive…

Burns Restricted in Superior National Forest

Due to dry conditions, fire activity, and limited resources, the Superior National Forest has prohibited campfires on Superior National Forest.

July 9, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Due to dry conditions, fire activity, and limited resources, the Superior National Forest has prohibited campfires on Superior National Forest. Effective Friday, igniting, building, maintaining or using a campfire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal, and wood-burning stoves are prohibited, according to the order. Campfires are allowed in approved fire structures that have been installed a maintained by…

State Senators Tour Duluth Water Treatment Plant

July 8, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– State senators and city staff were taken on a tour at the Duluth Water Treatment Plant to see how public works staff operate and maintain the equipment used to provide clean water to the city of Duluth. The tour gave an inside look to see where the city gets its water, how it is treated, and all of…

Duluth Fire Department Warns About Dry Conditions and Fireworks

July 2, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– It will be a very hot and dry weekend for the holiday but the Duluth Fire Department reminds the community that even though we have had some rain, there is still a high fire danger warning. With fireworks, campfires, and grills expected to be in use all weekend, there is still high potential that if you don’t extinguish…

Bayfront Festival Park Preparing for a Busy Fourth Fest Weekend

Up to 30,000 people are expected to come through Bayfront Festival Park this weekend for three days of live music and celebratory events.

July 1, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Big preparations are underway for one jam-packed 4th of July weekend at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. Bayfront Festival Park is expecting between 20,000-30,000 people for Fourth Fest Weekend. We stopped by to find out what they’re doing to prepare, and how they plan on getting these large crowds through the gates. “We’re very excited. By losing a…

Wilderness Experience Pioneer Camp

June 30, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– A day camp through Wilderness Experience for kids kindergarten to 2nd grade, is teaching the youth this week about pioneering by getting them involved working with farm animals and preparing garden beds to plant seeds. The Director of Wilderness Experience explained why it’s so important to teach kids about the outdoors, “It’s important to the development of kids…

Rose Garden Park Maintenance Talks about Community Feedback

June 29, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– The nearly five acres of the Rose Garden in Leif Erikson park, which features thousands of flowers, is now in full bloom. We caught up with the city’s maintenance team earlier today that’s working on maintaining the park’s beauty, who says it takes a lot of time and effort. “I feel the public really appreciates the garden, I…

Parks up North Shore Expecting Crowds for Holiday Weekend

June 28, 2021

Natalie Noury,

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– The future looks bright as businesses and parks up the North Shore are anticipating a busy 4th of July weekend. Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse are two highly visited areas up the shore, it’s an exciting time with big crowds expected to come through this weekend. “Visitation is still up, as it was similar to last…

Minnesota Bracing for Extended Drought, Wildfire Conditions

June 27, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota authorities are bracing for an extended wildfire season, saying the typical summer reprieve is looking more and more unlikely. Wildfires are typically at their worst in the spring and fall, slowing down in the summer when trees and plants are fully green and rain increases. But more than half of the state is experiencing drought conditions…

Hayward Fly Fishing Company Offers Advice for Musky Fishing

June 25, 2021

Natalie Noury,

HAYWARD, Wisc.– For those planning to take part in the fishing contest in Hayward this weekend, one shop has its doors open to answer any potential questions. The Hayward Fly Fishing Company is now operating under new ownership, and after being a fly fishing guide for 8 years prior, Stuart Neville offered a little advice on how to catch a…

Mushroom Madness in the Great North Woods

The Hobby of Mushrooming is Picking Up Across Many Parts of the Northland

June 22, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a mushroom madness in the great north woods right now. With the foraging season kicking off in May, local mushroom masters say now is a great time to start the hunt. “It kind of started as a freak accident,” said Ariel Bonkoski, a forager from Duluth. It’s not a hobby that fits everyone’s forte. “When I…

NRRI Looks to Public to Measure Stream Height

June 15, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Since 2017, the Natural Resources Research Institute has placed measurement gauges in streams throughout Duluth and neighboring areas, and now they continue to need your help in tracking this important data. Those participating can text in the height of the water to a national database that uses the recording to study stream behavior and environmental impacts. Organizers says…

Landscapers Try to Keep Up With Business

June 14, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Local landscapers are facing a worker shortage and CORE Landscaping in Superior say they have been busy this summer, which means they need more workers, but that’s not the only problem they’ve been facing. “Never did we have it this dry in June or May, normally we couldn’t do any landscaping because everything was too wet, normally you…

Fire Danger Warnings in the Northland

June 14, 2021

Natalie Noury,

CARLTON, Minn.– Due to the lack of rain and low humidity levels, a high fire danger warning has been issued in much of the Northland, with burning restrictions in place. Portions of Saint Louis, Carlton, and Itasca Counties currently have high fire danger warning and experts are encouraging acute awareness now more than ever as we continue into a dry…

Time to Hunt! City of Duluth Hosting Event for ‘National Get Outdoors Day’

The Event is Happening Saturday, June 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

June 11, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re itching to get outside and explore with your friends and family this weekend, the City of Duluth has the perfect opportunity with prizes attached. The Parks and Rec Dept. is teaming up with Leadership Duluth to host a citywide scavenger hunt. It’s happening Saturday, June 12, which marks National Get Outdoors Day. The hunt is…

Canal Park Lake Walk set to Open Officially

June 8, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– After being under construction due to heavy damage from multiple storms, the city of Duluth is finally ready to cut the ribbon and welcome foot traffic back to the Lakewalk in Canal Park. As a staple path for pedestrians that hugs the border of the lake, this section of the Lakewalk is said to be the most powerful…

Great Lakes Aquarium Educates Public on Harms of Using Lead Lures

June 7, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– In light of fishing season, the Great Lakes Aquarium is raising awareness about the harmful consequences of using lead lures and their impact on the loon population in Minnesota. Lead poisoning is one of the main causes of death in loons and Great Lakes Aquarium is partnering with Get the Lead out Minnesota to raise awareness about the…

Duluth Fire Dept: Rip Currents ‘can quite easily develop’ While Swimming

There was not a red flag rip current warning in effect at the time, so officials advise caution when swimming.

June 6, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn- The Duluth Fire Department is urging the public to be cautious and alert when swimming the beaches on Park Point this summer, after they rescued a teen from sudden and unforeseen rip currents Saturday. “It’s just a good reminder that Lake Superior can be very unpredictable. The weather here in Duluth is very unpredictable, these conditions can develop…

Lightning Strike Ignites 2-Acre Wildfire Within BWCAW

Smoke from the fire and aircraft activity could be noticeable in the area especially along Highway 169/Highway 1 between Tower and Ely.

June 5, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A lightning strike is believed to be the cause of a fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), estimated at roughly 2 acres. According to the U.S. Forest Service, late in the day on June 4th, a wildfire was detected southwest of Hassel Lake in BWCAW on the LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. Hassel…