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Ham Lake Forest Fire on the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota

By Teri Eckholm

Real Estate Agent with Boardman Realty Minnesota License#90858

May 13, 2007 12:48 PM

Minnesotans knew for years that a fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe area along the Gunflint Trail was a possibility. No one could have predicted the tragic and scary situation of the past week when a campfire went out of control. As of today, more than 52,000 acres have burned in the United States and Canada. This is an area larger than the City of Woodbury. The loss of 134 structures has an estimated value of $3.7 million dollars and over 200 additional residences and 20 businesses are still threatened.

map What many outside of the state of Minnesota may not realize is that there are 2 different Ham Lakes in our state. The City of Ham Lake, where I live and work as a Realtor, is in the central part of the state while the Ham Lake fire is in the Arrowhead region.

Twin Citians have felt only minimal effects of the fire which has been described as a raging monster. There is a pink hue to the night sky when we look to the north. Smog surrounds the IDS Tower in downtown Minneapolis. Some have even had unusual residue on cars and buildings these last few nights. But this is nothing compared to the affects felt by those who were a part of the mandatory evacuation and now are awaiting news in shelters or with friends-awaiting word on whether they will be allowed to return to their homes or if their residence was destroyed.

Our hearts in the City of Ham Lake are with them.

Spring Fire Restrictions in MN

DNR News releases on the Ham Lake Fire

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. Acreage homes are my specialty! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

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Anonymous

Doubtful

Teri, I don't know what the "pink hue" is that you think you're seeing in your northern night sky, but I rather doubt it has anything t do with the Ham Lake fire. I live only 40 miles WSW of the fire and I can't see any glow from it in the night sky, only a distant cloud of smoke when the sun is shining on it as it rises 10,000+ feet. We've actually only smelled the smoke for a little while one morning when the wind blew our way for a while. I also wonder about the "smog" and "unusual residue" you mentioned. I suppose they could be from the fire but, again, I have my doubts. Our most constant reminder of what's happening is the constant airplane traffic over our house as they fly from Ely and the Ely airport to the fire and back many times a day.

May 13, 2007 03:38 PM

Alexander Harb

Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX

Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Wow...and I though our problems in Florida with OUR wildfires was bad.......

I will be praying for you in Minnesota, sis......

wow...over 100 homes destroyed!!

ouch!

May 13, 2007 08:23 PM

Danny Smith

DISCOVER TEXAS HOMES - Round Rock, TX

Just think about Catalina Island...just how big is the Island? Last I heard 6,000 acres had burned there. Not as much as 52,000 but defientely in a smaller more confined area.

May 13, 2007 10:22 PM

Teri Eckholm

Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN

REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Doubtful--If you read my post carefully, I said "Twin Citians". This information was on a Twin Cities newscast reporting Saturday morning from another part of the Twin Cities...significantly south of the City of Ham Lake. The newscast showed the smog around the IDS building on Saturday morning which was significantly more apparent than what we usually see in Minneapolis. I don't know if the person who had residue all over their yard and car was from the fire or pollen from the trees (hard to tell from the TV. but they attributed it to the fire. Also it was reported that several people in the cities were able to see the pink hue, I did not say I saw it myself...As you live closer, you are probably more aware of the actual conditions so I appreciate your added information.

My point with the post was that the Twin Cities is very far from the large fire in northern MN. Every time we turn on the news in our home in the City of Ham Lake we hear of the Ham Lake fire. We can't help but be concerned for all involved. Our hearts go out to the families affected.

May 14, 2007 12:53 AM

Alexander--The DNR news release said 134 structures and value currently estimated at $3.7 million. I don't think that they are all homes. Many are cabins, garages etc. Good news is that there has been now loss of life.

We also see that there are several wildfires in FL and CA. I am certain that all affected will appreciate your prayers!

May 14, 2007 12:57 AM

Danny--Sad thing about the Catalina Island is that it is more densely populated than the area in Minnesota. It was sad for all of the resort owners as Saturday was the fishing opener and the fire did close some resorts and limit tourism in the area.

May 14, 2007 01:01 AM

Ham Lake Forest Fire on the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota

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