SerpApi.Org
Tuesday marks one week since the Boundary Waters Canoe Area closed as fire crews fight more than a dozen different fires in northern Minnesota.
The nearby cities, including Ely, are facing major economic losses as residents, tourists and campers have been evacuated.
The Chamber of Commerce made the decision to also cancel the city's popular Blueberry Arts Festival that was set for July 24-26. It's only the third time in the event's nearly 50-year history that it has been canceled.
"It’s like a big class reunion," said Kathy Hamilton, who runs Ely Farmers Market. "It’s heartbreaking to not have that."
Hamilton said there are nearly 250 vendors, some of whom come from out of state for the event.
The fires have also impacted the Farmers Market that's held every Tuesday. On July 21, there were about 35 vendors when Hamilton said nearly 70 show up every week.
"You know, we’re all just trying to make a summer of it," said Hamilton.
If losses like this keep piling up, Republican Representative Roger Scraba said the impact could reach $100 million for the entire season. Rep. Scraba is also Ely's former mayor and said he's counting on state and federal assistance, including public fundraising. He admits that's an early estimate and a high one, but is concerned that so many tourists are choosing to cancel their plans or not come at all.
"They'll help, we just need to know what, how much, and where," said Rep. Scraba. "And government is part of the solution, it's not the solution."
Lightning started the fires two weeks ago that now total some 64,000 acres - or twice the size of Minneapolis. Nine of the fires are now 100% contained, but crews are still patrolling and looking for any missed hot spots.
Former forest ranger, Aaron Kania, who's also running for Rep. Scraba's seat, says rainfall will help, but wind could make things worse.
"If these fires are well established, and we have a drying period, and there’s a lot of time left for a drying period, and the winds pick up again, we could be right back into this," said Kania, who supports prescribed burns and timber sales to manage forest health.
Kania also says resources are spread thin as wildfires rage across the country.
"Our resources are spread thin nationwide, our incident management teams are spread thin, aircraft, there’s only so many of them," said Kania.
For the most recent updates on evacuations, click here.
"It's a lot to take in, but Northland people are resilient," said Hamilton.
