Boundary Waters fire explodes to 60,000 acres

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Sep 13, 2011 at 9:15 am

ELY, Minn. (AP) - A forest fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area has more than tripled in size and is now burning more than 60,000 acres in northeastern Minnesota. 

Minnesota Interagency Fire Center spokeswoman Jean Bergerson tells Minnesota Public Radio News (http://bit.ly/qAry5N ) that strong winds are expected to further spread the fire Tuesday and Wednesday.

PAGAMI FIRE UPDATE: Follow the latest changes on the firelines from the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center

She says the winds have made fighting the fire difficult. She did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press.

On Monday night, authorities evacuated residents on County Road 7 just north of Isabella. The blaze had already forced officials to evacuate more than 100 campers threatened by the fire and smoke.

Bergerson says officials are trying to predict how the fire will move, so canoeists and others will have time to make it to safety.

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