Crews continue to battle Greenwood Fire in northeastern Minnesota

Fire crews were able to return to the front lines of Greenwood Fire burning near Isabella, Minnesota, on Tuesday after strong winds doubled the size of the blaze in just 24 hours.

Officials estimate the Greenwood Fire is currently burning around 19,493 acres, or 30.5 square miles, in the Superior National Forest. Lake County Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders to 280 structures in the path of the fire.

The Greenwood Fire is one of a growing number of fires burning across northeastern Minnesota, including in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The U.S. Forest Service announced late Tuesday it would extend the closure of the BWCAW through Sept. 3, citing new fires and an increased threat to the area.

"It’s not safe to reopen or divert resources from firefighting," the announcement said in part.

Crews battled against dry conditions and weather Monday, when the fire pushed toward the east, entering the area around McDougal Lake.

Fire officials say they don’t know at this point how many structures were damaged or burned down after Monday’s fire activity.

Clark McCreedy, public information officer with the East Area Incident Management Team, said access has been an issue. Downed trees blocked roads inside the fire perimeter, making it difficult for firefighters to get to any homes that may have been in the path.

"We know that’s a genuine and earnest concern for the folks," he said. "We need to do the best job we can to get folks in there."

Pat Prochaska built a cabin on South McDougal Lake in 2012. Monday afternoon, the security cameras mounted to the outside captured video of smoke and flames overtaking the trees on the property. He watched the feed from his home in Minneapolis.

"You’re seeing these dead fir trees go up," Prochaska said. "I was just devastated at first, feeling like, ‘Oh my god, everything we’ve done.’"

Prochaska is optimistic the fire did not level the cabin though. He said later in the evening, the video feed showed firefighters entering the property and hosing down several hot spots.

"I know there’s probably damage and things to be done and the forest we had is gone but we’re hoping for a new forest that will probably come out of these ashes," he said.

Residents who live and work near the fire area say people continue to prepare to evacuate, after watching the fire’s erratic behavior and sudden change on Monday.

"Lots of people came in and got supplies and tanked up with our gas," said Joan Beard, who works at the Finland Cooperative General Store.

When asked what she hopes the next few days will bring, she simply answered "rain."

"Lots of rain," Beard said.