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It’s been protected from human impacts since 1909. With 3 million acres, nearly half / million under water, Superior National Forest is largely unspoiled. But now the survival of this national treasure wrestle with those who would see some of it burned.

When a massive windstorm flattened nearly a half million acres of trees in July, 1999, the Forest Service knew a major wildfire was inevitable. They refer to this area simply as ‘ the blowdown’, over 7 hundred square miles of kindling just waiting for a spark.
“Yeah, we're kind of wondering why that hasn’t happened on when it's twice as / dry twice as warm and windy and there is lightning out there . So far we just haven’t had lightning in a good patch of timber to burn”
On these day, just to let you know the magnetic grass burn a years ago.
the Forest Service will strike the match.
“the Weather forecast for today is favorable”
But not before checking that conditions are just right.
“ Pretty consistent mainly southwest to leave 10 to 15”
Gusts of wind more than 15 mph in the wrong direction could be disastrous. And if things go wrong and if the fire gets out of control, it would be burn boss Tim Norman who is responsible.

It would come from above. The helicopter disappearing over this ridge will drop a flaming gel on the forest floor. The natural fill there does the rest . For hours, wave after wave, the air assaults rein fire from above. This is the time when all that planning to keep home safe is put to the test.
In the end, a plan with promise gave way to some disappointment. No safety problems. But the Forest Service had hoped to burn 1,300 acres. Shifting winds and problems with the flaming gel limited the burn to just 200. But that is still a significant amount of forest to burn.
“How long will this area take the green up?”
“Oh, it will be green…er… by next spring.”
This area now creates a much needed buffer between the blowdown and hundreds of homes and businesses on the edge of the wilderness. Burning the forest to keep the future wildfire in check in a huge job that’s only just begun.