Isle Royale fire contained
Red Rock blaze was small
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ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK -- The Red Rocks Fire has been 100% contained, the Isle Royale National Park reported on Thursday.
The fire, located on Red Rock Point, in Tobin Harbor, was small, the release says, totaling 0.1 acres. Initial firefighting efforts were conducted by the Isle Royale National Park wildland firefighters.
NPS says the wildland firefighters are a highly trained group of NPS staff, alongside partner agencies, tasked with managing wildfires in one of the most remote and roadless wildernesses in Lake Superior. They conduct initial attack operations, monitor natural fires, and protect historic structures and campsites.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, says the NPS, and the burn area will continued to be monitored.
The fire was first reported by Isle Royale National Park Service staff on Tuesday morning. Due to the fire, Merritt Lane Campground, including the tent site, shelter, and dock, were temporarily closed and the Merritt Lane Campground was also closed to day use. As of Thursday morning, the campground and dock are again open, but off-trail camping in Zone 9 remains closed for visitor safety and health due to the fire. Zone 9 is a designated off-trail, cross-country camping zone located on the extreme northeastern tip of the main island.
The Red Rocks Fire is not the only challenge Isle Royale has encountered this summer. Wolves have also posed potential threats to island visitors.
On Thursday, July 9, NPS said in a statement that individual tent sites and group sites at Three Mile Campground were closed due to increased human-wildlife interactions, along with food storage concerns. Tent and hammock camping are not permitted anywhere within the campground. Off-trail camping zones 11, 12, and 33 also remain closed. Shelters remain open. Food, trash, and scented items must be stored in animal-resistant, hard-sided containers or food storage lockers, NPS cautions, and backpacks must be stored in shelters. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.
Last Tuesday, an additional statement was published, saying Duncan Narrows Campground is closed, including Duncan Narrows tent site, shelters, and dock. Day use of the campground is also closed. This closure is necessary due to the increasing frequency of wolf-human interactions, and continued non-compliance with food storage regulations. Closed areas will be patrolled to ensure compliance.