Fire LakeMaking ConnectionsMapsLinks |
Full image approximately 2 miles square |
Description
Fire is a small, narrow lake, in the Kawishiwi River drainage, 21 miles ENE of Ely, and 9 miles NNW of Forest Center. Over 1½ miles in length, Fire covers 96 acres to a maximum depth of 30'. At the east end of the lake is the mouth of Drag Creek, which drains Drag Lake, just over a quarter mile upstream in the Drag Lake Primitive Management Area. Along the southern shore, a 10 rod, throw over portage connects with the end of the long north arm of Hudson. Fire's outlet is at its southwest end, where Drumstick Creek passes through a pair of rapids on its way to Lake Four on the Kawishiwi. A 20 rod portage (North) and a 30 rod portage (South) bypass the rapids.While some of the forest on or near the southern shore of Fire is some 135 years old, most of the surrounding woods are much younger, dating back to a major, stand replacing fire in 1916/17. The area around Fire escaped serious damage in the Independence Day windstorms of 1999; the area farther to the east was not so lucky.
Campsites
Fire supports four established campsites, spread out along the northern shore and hidden away from one another by the points of land extending into the lake.Planning Considerations
Fire is a loop route off the main Number Lakes to Insula corridor, situated north of the Kawishiwi between Lake Four and Hudson. Though a longer route, the reduced traffic levels make it worthwhile all the same. Fire also makes a good base for exploring the Drag Lake PMA to the north. It's the nearest point for striking out cross-country for Hood, Blinker, Starlight, and, of course, Drag itself. With decent water levels, the trip up to Drag from Fire is pretty manageable, up until the little stream becomes choked with boulders and alder just below the lake.Wildlife
Fire supports populations of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), Northern Pike (Esox lucius), and White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni). We've seen wolves and moose on the nearby north arm of Hudson.Notes and Comments
Could the fire of 1916 have given the lake its name?
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