Wildfire threatens Ely; Gusty winds create rapid fire growth potential

Quick Updraft update:

A 30-40 acre wild fire just southeast of Ely has prompted evacuations.

Gusty south winds to 35 mph are fanning the flames, and low humidities around 20% are promoting rapid fire growth conditions.

Spotty power outages have taken local radio off the air, and the NWS surface observations also appear to be down as of 2:22pm Thursday.

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(Photo by @ElyOutfittingCo)

Here is a compilation of info from various sources.

Live Ely webcams here

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From WELY radio:

Wildfire in Ely Area

Tune in to www.wely.com for updates.

94.5fm is currently off the air due to the fire location

near the power substation.

The fire began approximately 1 mile south of Ely on Highway 1,

ignited by a downed power line.

The fire has grown to approximately 90 acres in size.

Forest service and local fire crews are currently battling this fire.

Ely residents in the area south of White street and East of

5th Avenue

are advised to evacuate their homes.

Evacuated residents are advised to go to the area north of Ely on

Miners drive.

If you need to evacuate and do not have transportation, call 911

and a bus will come pick you up.

Please stay clear of the area southeast of Ely as Emergency

crews are working to suppress the fire.

From MPR News:

Timberjay editor says just small evacuations in the S part of town (east of White, south of 12th).

Air takers deployed, type 2 fire team will be on the ground tonight (8:00?).

40 acres burning now, last update was a little while ago.

Some power outages around the area, downtown ok.

Tankers are in the air outside Ely fighting a 10-20 acre fire that is within a mile of town. We have been told the town council is meeting this afternoon to decide what, if any, action to order. No evacuations have been ordered, but some residents have reportedly voluntarily left their homes near the fire.

The story is now on AP with Duluth news tribune as source.