A prescribed burn near Isabella, Minn., escalated into a wildfire on Wednesday, May 15, when it exceeded its intended 72-acre area.
Superior National Forest officials began the scheduled prescribed burn on Wednesday morning within the Fry unit, east of Little Isabella Campground along Hwy 1.
At approximately 1 p.m., Forest Service crews declared a wildfire within the prescribed Fry unit project area. The Fry Fire is being addressed with aircraft and ground resources. Forest Service officials said the total acreage of the wildfire is unknown at this time.
“The Fry Fire is an evolving situation,” wrote Joy VanDrie, the Superior National Forest public affairs staff officer.
The prescribed burn is one of many scheduled burns across the Superior National Forest this week to reduce hazardous fuels and prepare the unit for natural regeneration.