Firefighters Contain 30 Percent of Blaze Near Ely

ELY -- Firefighters are beginning to get control of a 1,000-acre forest fire near Ely under control.

The Minnesota Incident Command System, an multi-agency group that cooperates on managing wildfires, announced Sunday firefighters have achieved 30 percent containment on the blaze, which has now consumed 1,008 acres.

Firefighters continue to use aircraft and build saw lines, a line where all tree limbs are removed up to shoulder height and small brush is eliminated to prevent fires from leaping into the forest canopy. MNICS officials say 180 people are battling the fire.

Ely and other nearby towns are not threatened.

The fire began after a prescribed burn got out of control on Thursday afternoon.