USFS Planned Pile Burns

The fire staff of the Gunflint and Tofte Ranger Stations may begin burning piles starting on 9/23/2026. We plan on burning piles at Hungry Jack, Menogyn, and Squint.

As is the case with all our prescribed burns, we will need to ensure that the weather and the environmental conditions are in line with being able to meet our objectives and to do so safely. For pile burning we want cooler, damper conditions such that the spread and/or “creep” is minimal, but also just dry enough that the piles consume. For hand piles and medium sized machine piles we want to target days when the humidity is higher and/or we expect precipitation to happen in the coming days. We consult with the National Weather Service in Duluth daily when we are igniting piles to be sure that forecasts are aligned with the conditions needed.

You can expect to see signs along roadways near our burns. If a burn area is accessible by ATV or foot, you can expect signs posted where we are going in. Expect there to be significant smoke impacts of short duration during ignitions in some areas. There will be firefighters on site and, if necessary, wildland engines. We will patrol our burns any day when fire spread is possible. We may only drive/hike in an area to check and you may not see firefighters in the vicinity the entire day.

If you see fire or smoke in an area, you don’t believe it should be, please call the Forest Service.

For Gunflint Office: 218-387-1750 and for Tofte Office: 218-663-8060.