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Gunflint Burning: Fire in the Boundary Waters
On May 5, 2007, two days into his twenty-seventh trip to the Boundary Waters, Stephen Posniak found a perfect spot on Ham Lake and set about making a campfire. Over the next two weeks, the fire he set would consume 75,000 acres of forest and 144 build
344 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
58 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
About the author
Cary J. Griffith
11 books143 followersAward-winning author Cary J. Griffith grew up among the woods, fields, and emerald waters of eastern Iowa. His childhood fostered a lifelong love of wild places.
He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota.
Griffith’s books explore the natural world. In nonfiction, he covers the borderlands between civilization and wild places. In fiction, he focuses on the ways some people use flora and fauna to commit crimes, while others with more reverence and understanding of the natural world leverage their knowledge to bring criminals to justice.
He lives with his family in a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota.
Griffith’s books explore the natural world. In nonfiction, he covers the borderlands between civilization and wild places. In fiction, he focuses on the ways some people use flora and fauna to commit crimes, while others with more reverence and understanding of the natural world leverage their knowledge to bring criminals to justice.
He lives with his family in a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 9, 2018
"Gunflint Burning" is about the Ham Lake fire, which occurred in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in 2007.
It's likely to be of interest mostly to people who live in or near the Boundary Waters, people who have spent time there, and people with a particular interest in wildfires -- perhaps all three. At the time it was Minnesota's most destructive fire in a long while, but I'm not sure its scale would have even gotten much notice in the American West. It destroyed more than 75,00 acres of woodland and 144 buildings and cost $11 million to fight with, thankfully, no loss of life. As I'm reading this, California's Mendocino Complex Fire has consumed an estimated 283,000 acres -- granted, the biggest single fire in California history -- and it isn't finished yet.
But by Midwestern standards, Ham Lake was a big fire, and it occurred in a beloved wilderness area. It takes the book a while to get to the fire itself, but the descriptions of the early phases of the fire are gripping. Unfortunately, the narrative then gets bogged down in too much inside baseball (when a Type III fire becomes a Type II fire and then a Type I fire, and what that all means) and way too many acronyms. The author has an unusual tendency to refer to his sources by their first names, and it feels like there are a lot of Toms and Tims and Dans and Dons and Michaels and Mikes. It all becomes confusing, and then tedious. My thought, long before I reached the finish line, was: I'm not sure I'm all that interested in this.
Having said that, I did learn things from reading "Gunflint Burning." Here are three takeaways:
1. In dry, windy conditions with lots of available fuel, it's very, very easy to start a wildfire. OK, I knew this, but I didn't REALLY know this. The lone camper who unintentionally started the fire was violating regulations by burning his paper trash merely stepped briefly into his tent to get something, and when he came out he had a fire on his hands that he couldn't put out.
2. A wildfire seems to have a mind of its own. It doesn't, of course; it's guided by winds and available fuel and by what firefighters do to try to alter or stop its course. But it almost seems like a thinking entity with a personality.
3. It's interesting, at least on the basis of this account, to know how much of the firefighting strategy involves literally fighting fire with fire. I'm sure doing so is often the best course, but it's also dangerous. It one instance documented in this book, it very nearly went disastrously wrong.
It's likely to be of interest mostly to people who live in or near the Boundary Waters, people who have spent time there, and people with a particular interest in wildfires -- perhaps all three. At the time it was Minnesota's most destructive fire in a long while, but I'm not sure its scale would have even gotten much notice in the American West. It destroyed more than 75,00 acres of woodland and 144 buildings and cost $11 million to fight with, thankfully, no loss of life. As I'm reading this, California's Mendocino Complex Fire has consumed an estimated 283,000 acres -- granted, the biggest single fire in California history -- and it isn't finished yet.
But by Midwestern standards, Ham Lake was a big fire, and it occurred in a beloved wilderness area. It takes the book a while to get to the fire itself, but the descriptions of the early phases of the fire are gripping. Unfortunately, the narrative then gets bogged down in too much inside baseball (when a Type III fire becomes a Type II fire and then a Type I fire, and what that all means) and way too many acronyms. The author has an unusual tendency to refer to his sources by their first names, and it feels like there are a lot of Toms and Tims and Dans and Dons and Michaels and Mikes. It all becomes confusing, and then tedious. My thought, long before I reached the finish line, was: I'm not sure I'm all that interested in this.
Having said that, I did learn things from reading "Gunflint Burning." Here are three takeaways:
1. In dry, windy conditions with lots of available fuel, it's very, very easy to start a wildfire. OK, I knew this, but I didn't REALLY know this. The lone camper who unintentionally started the fire was violating regulations by burning his paper trash merely stepped briefly into his tent to get something, and when he came out he had a fire on his hands that he couldn't put out.
2. A wildfire seems to have a mind of its own. It doesn't, of course; it's guided by winds and available fuel and by what firefighters do to try to alter or stop its course. But it almost seems like a thinking entity with a personality.
3. It's interesting, at least on the basis of this account, to know how much of the firefighting strategy involves literally fighting fire with fire. I'm sure doing so is often the best course, but it's also dangerous. It one instance documented in this book, it very nearly went disastrously wrong.
June 15, 2018
I'll admit that some of my interest in this book stems from my fondness for northern MN and trips to the Gunflint Trail. However, it is an amazing, well researched book about the devastating 2007 Ham Lake Fire that occurred in the Boundary Waters. Griffith does an outstanding job of making sense of all of the different agencies and individuals who would ultimately be involved in fighting this fire. He also tells the stories of residents and resort owners who were affected by the fire. The research into the story is meticulous. I learned a lot about firefighting and the challenges of dealing with such a big fire amidst dry conditions and changing winds. This is an excellent book. My only complaint is that I wish it included a more detailed map. There is a map, but it's pretty tiny, and not as detailed as I wanted. Otherwise, an excellent and compelling book.
December 21, 2019
I enjoyed the story about the fire because I knew one of the people mentioned in the book and I love the BWCA. Some of the information regarding the life of a fire was interesting. However, I found some areas of the book to be slow moving, the story jumped around in time as the author tried to incorporate all the information . I speed read in those areas. I wish the author would have explained some of the lingo used in firefighting as I was often confused. I as not happy with how the legal system treated Mr Posniak. It seemed to me that he was a bit different, and perhaps not very sophisticated. I think the system wanted to make an example of him and am not sure if he had the most aggressive defender. It seemed to me that the system was hard on him because they could. Just my interpretation.
March 29, 2023
Once I started skimming I couldn’t stop. Bob, Tim, Tom, Ron, Mike, Barb, Sue, Steve, Jody are all real names of real people who had quite an ordeal.
The details of this that and those were just too much for absorbing in 300 pages when it was all said and done.
Unfortunate topic.
The details of this that and those were just too much for absorbing in 300 pages when it was all said and done.
Unfortunate topic.
July 19, 2024
A heartbreaking account of the Ham Lake fire. I'm in awe of the complex architecture of the emergency response team. I also enjoyed learning more about the intricacies of fighting wildfires.
October 14, 2018
The beginning of the story was very moving and a great reminder of how easily accidents become tragedies. It is humbling to know how many lives are endangered with wilderness rescues.
While this was incredibly well researched, the delivery was a combination of Luther's Ninety-Five Thesis and Rob Lowe's autobiography.
While this was incredibly well researched, the delivery was a combination of Luther's Ninety-Five Thesis and Rob Lowe's autobiography.
March 8, 2024
In the epilogue, author Cary Griffith admits that he was unfamiliar with wildfire science and wildland firefighting prior to researching and writing Gunflint Burning: Fire in the Boundary Waters. I found it interesting that he seemed so interested in the management of firefighting, especially how incidents are elevated from Type III to II to I levels. He reiterated the decision-making process far more than other authors who write about wildfires. As a reader with a background in the subject, I did find that attention increasingly dull. But that is not a reason for a bad review.
In fact, this book was engaging. I was intrigued, in part, because I am unfamiliar with the boundary waters ecosystem. And I certainly am not familiar with its fire regime or how firefighters are able to combat wildfires there. For example, the Boundary Waters is peppered with lakes. Therefore, firefighters encourage residence to place sprinklers on their roofing and around their properties to spray water continuously as wildfire approaches. That system is far less effective in my area because water is far more scarce during wildfire season. But when you have a lake only a couple hundred feet away, expending water like there’s no tomorrow makes more sense.
The Ham Lake Fire, which is the incident in the book, began because a camper burned trash at a wilderness campsite during Red Flag conditions in a xeric ecosystem on May 5, 2007. It burned over 75,000 acres and destroyed over 140 structures. Investigators identified the perpetrator and charged him with one felony and two misdemeanors. As for the results of the investigation, and a good description of the fire as well as its impact on the area, read the book.
In fact, this book was engaging. I was intrigued, in part, because I am unfamiliar with the boundary waters ecosystem. And I certainly am not familiar with its fire regime or how firefighters are able to combat wildfires there. For example, the Boundary Waters is peppered with lakes. Therefore, firefighters encourage residence to place sprinklers on their roofing and around their properties to spray water continuously as wildfire approaches. That system is far less effective in my area because water is far more scarce during wildfire season. But when you have a lake only a couple hundred feet away, expending water like there’s no tomorrow makes more sense.
The Ham Lake Fire, which is the incident in the book, began because a camper burned trash at a wilderness campsite during Red Flag conditions in a xeric ecosystem on May 5, 2007. It burned over 75,000 acres and destroyed over 140 structures. Investigators identified the perpetrator and charged him with one felony and two misdemeanors. As for the results of the investigation, and a good description of the fire as well as its impact on the area, read the book.
July 6, 2018
This was an interesting read for me since I'm from the state of Minnesota. It leads the reader through the big fire from many perspectives - that of the person who started it, the firefighters, law enforcement, residents of the area, etc. It also does a nice job of describing the northern part of Minnesota and helps us understand the culture of the area. It's great info about fire fighting too!
The book reads like a story --- incorporating fiction (of what the man- Steve Posniak- who started the fire may have thought or done); and factual information from reports of officials and individuals who were there. The man blamed for starting the fire ended up committing suicide, so obviously, he couldn't be interviewed for the book. It did bother me a bit that the author put words in his mouth because we never will really know what he was thinking or what he actually did. But it did make the story a more interesting read by telling his story.
Some parts of the writing repeated throughout the book and I think it could have gone through a couple more edits to eliminate some redundant parts.
My 14-year-old son said he would rate the book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The book reads like a story --- incorporating fiction (of what the man- Steve Posniak- who started the fire may have thought or done); and factual information from reports of officials and individuals who were there. The man blamed for starting the fire ended up committing suicide, so obviously, he couldn't be interviewed for the book. It did bother me a bit that the author put words in his mouth because we never will really know what he was thinking or what he actually did. But it did make the story a more interesting read by telling his story.
Some parts of the writing repeated throughout the book and I think it could have gone through a couple more edits to eliminate some redundant parts.
My 14-year-old son said he would rate the book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
October 3, 2018
The book was incredibly interesting. Despite having followed the news about the fire as it occurred, I felt I really knew very little. This book was filled with details about the path of the fire, structures that were threatened, and the complexities of managing the fighting of large scale fires. I have been acquainted with a few trained firefighters over the years who were called to different parts of the country to fight wildfires. Yet, before I read Gunflint Burning, I had not realized the national, and even international cooperation necessary to beat back a raging fire of this magnitude.
The book also seemed uniquely Minnesotan regarding the “above and beyond” actions taken by the citizens and professionals dedicated to limiting, as much as possible, the impact of this immense conflagration.
My only note about this book is that it could have used another round of editing. Small parts of the book bogged down a little with details that had already been presented and felt repetitive. In some cases, conversations had a novelized feel, and I had to fight back a little skepticism that people’s memories could not possibly have recalled them with such accuracy.
Appropriately, The book reads like the script to a documentary, one which I would now like to watch, but it succeeds on its own as a fascinating read.
The book also seemed uniquely Minnesotan regarding the “above and beyond” actions taken by the citizens and professionals dedicated to limiting, as much as possible, the impact of this immense conflagration.
My only note about this book is that it could have used another round of editing. Small parts of the book bogged down a little with details that had already been presented and felt repetitive. In some cases, conversations had a novelized feel, and I had to fight back a little skepticism that people’s memories could not possibly have recalled them with such accuracy.
Appropriately, The book reads like the script to a documentary, one which I would now like to watch, but it succeeds on its own as a fascinating read.
December 26, 2018
This book will be enjoyed by anyone who has a soft spot for the Gunflint trail, Superior National Forest, the BWCA or enjoys time in rugged wilderness areas. The 2007 fire exemplifies the power of mother nature and how small we really are.
I also now have a new level of respect for wildfire fire fighters. Amongst weather chaos, they make a containment plan, work the plan yet continuous adaptations must occur based upon humidity levels, wind speed, wind direction and path of the blaze. The fire fighters goals are always loss of life first, safety for their peers and minimization of structure loss. The knowledge, training, bravery, stamina and commitment amongst these women and men is often the secondary story in a large fire. The media focus is given to those who are displaced, but without the fire fighters many more persons would possibly lose their homes or worse their lives.
I also now have a new level of respect for wildfire fire fighters. Amongst weather chaos, they make a containment plan, work the plan yet continuous adaptations must occur based upon humidity levels, wind speed, wind direction and path of the blaze. The fire fighters goals are always loss of life first, safety for their peers and minimization of structure loss. The knowledge, training, bravery, stamina and commitment amongst these women and men is often the secondary story in a large fire. The media focus is given to those who are displaced, but without the fire fighters many more persons would possibly lose their homes or worse their lives.
November 4, 2024
My family journeyed to this area of the Gunflint for many years to cross country ski and later snowshoe. We climbed over and around trees the winter after the blowdown and skied through areas affected by the Ham Lake fire. The book tells the story of the fire, one of the largest forest fires in Minnesota’s history. My rating is a reflection of the administrative detail the author swamps us with including repeating entire sections of law and rulebooks. Hurt my brain. Nit sure what his editor was thinking. The story of the fire gets lost in abbreviations.
March 17, 2019
Very interesting recap of the Ham Lake fire in the BWCA. However, a lot of it read like a government report with lifeless narrative on who showed up when and what they did. Probably the way it had to be written as a non-fiction book, but I ended up power scanning the last 75 pages. So many people in the book I stopped trying to figure out who was who. Could have been better with some more personal stories about the fire and aftermath. Good but not great.
March 11, 2025
I'd say that although I am not from Minnesota, I was still intrigued by the synopsis of this story. However, I think my interest was laser-focused on Steve Pozniak and the other campers, and less on the ins and outs of firefighting. Admittedly, I found myself skimming through to see how the story ends. Not poorly written, just too in the weeds for me. Also, very acronym-heavy.
July 6, 2019
Twenty years ago, July 4-5, 1999, the big blow down occurred in northeastern Minnesota due to straight line winds by what is called a derecho. I happened to visit the Ely area a week later and noted the intense straight line wind damage starting around 15 miles north, near and in the BWCAW. Tremendous numbers of uprooted pines and broken birch littered the area. We talked at that time about all the potential for fire as the wood products would slowly decompose over the following years. Here is a book about the potential for massive fires realized by a major mistake a frequent visitor that according to the book and following investigations made. Wind and dry conditions were extreme early in the season of May 2007. I also have witnessed the installation of a sprinkler system at a YMCA camp near Ely and now better understand the significant impact these make to change the flow of fire. This would have been done at or slightly after the Ham Lake fire.
The book is an account of the fire fighting activities, the influence and swift actions of the sheriff and local residents and resort owners to battle the intense and monstrous blaze. The struggles to change the impact level from a III to a II to a level I took major considerations and it was the right move. Fire fighters from Idaho were flown in, heavy equipment deployed, airplanes and helicopters in the air, a flying "fire starter" helicopter with chemical ping pong balls was deployed for burning areas to control the major fire flow and equipment (trucks, boats, etc.) moved and used to aid in the fight.
My main issue with the book was the large number of characters deployed miles apart in quick succession and dithered in time. This was probably a necessity with the craziness of the fire and heightens the stress level while reading. Not knowing where the fire front existed was a problem with the fire fighters and it was an issue with me too. The descriptions could have enhanced with maps as the fire and deployments increase. There was one map at the start but not enough to do justice to this monster. The person accused of the "ground zero" where the fire started was addressed as well, with some speculation.
An interesting book, informative, and educational regarding fighting fires in a recreational area in Minnesota with a "safe" amount of global warming discussion thrown in for good measure.
The book is an account of the fire fighting activities, the influence and swift actions of the sheriff and local residents and resort owners to battle the intense and monstrous blaze. The struggles to change the impact level from a III to a II to a level I took major considerations and it was the right move. Fire fighters from Idaho were flown in, heavy equipment deployed, airplanes and helicopters in the air, a flying "fire starter" helicopter with chemical ping pong balls was deployed for burning areas to control the major fire flow and equipment (trucks, boats, etc.) moved and used to aid in the fight.
My main issue with the book was the large number of characters deployed miles apart in quick succession and dithered in time. This was probably a necessity with the craziness of the fire and heightens the stress level while reading. Not knowing where the fire front existed was a problem with the fire fighters and it was an issue with me too. The descriptions could have enhanced with maps as the fire and deployments increase. There was one map at the start but not enough to do justice to this monster. The person accused of the "ground zero" where the fire started was addressed as well, with some speculation.
An interesting book, informative, and educational regarding fighting fires in a recreational area in Minnesota with a "safe" amount of global warming discussion thrown in for good measure.
February 1, 2022
Thoroughly researched and detailed account of a bad wilderness fire that could have been far worse had it not been for the skill and bravery of all involved in fighting the fire and protecting homes and lives.
It's a daunting task to do research after the fact of an event that was so unpredictable and in such a remote area. Griffith did a nice job of piecing together the timeline and provided a narrative that was easy to follow despite the huge cast of characters he had to deal with and keep straight.
I've been up on the Gunflint Trail many times in my life and have patronized many of the outfitters on past canoe trips, so I was able to envision the terrain and what the firefighters and emergency crews had to deal with. It's rough country up there folks!
My big takeaway is how many people are required to fight a wilderness fire and how extensive their training, coordination, and organization is, and has to be to work effectively. And, I will NEVER take my campfires for granted again and assume that "It'll be okay if I just turn my back on my little old campfire for a minute."
Campfire bans make sense at the appropriate times so don't be the jerk who thinks the rules don't apply to them. You may end up ruining the lives and livelihoods of many, many people. There was no fire ban in place at that time for a variety of reasons, so the camper who started the fire was within his rights to have a campfire. It's just that he ended up being negligent and did actually break the rule about not burning paper or trash. Lessons learned the hard way. Tragic that he ended up committing suicide because of his carelessness, but he was experienced enough to know that he should have been super-careful under those conditions.
It's a daunting task to do research after the fact of an event that was so unpredictable and in such a remote area. Griffith did a nice job of piecing together the timeline and provided a narrative that was easy to follow despite the huge cast of characters he had to deal with and keep straight.
I've been up on the Gunflint Trail many times in my life and have patronized many of the outfitters on past canoe trips, so I was able to envision the terrain and what the firefighters and emergency crews had to deal with. It's rough country up there folks!
My big takeaway is how many people are required to fight a wilderness fire and how extensive their training, coordination, and organization is, and has to be to work effectively. And, I will NEVER take my campfires for granted again and assume that "It'll be okay if I just turn my back on my little old campfire for a minute."
Campfire bans make sense at the appropriate times so don't be the jerk who thinks the rules don't apply to them. You may end up ruining the lives and livelihoods of many, many people. There was no fire ban in place at that time for a variety of reasons, so the camper who started the fire was within his rights to have a campfire. It's just that he ended up being negligent and did actually break the rule about not burning paper or trash. Lessons learned the hard way. Tragic that he ended up committing suicide because of his carelessness, but he was experienced enough to know that he should have been super-careful under those conditions.
February 5, 2019
Griffith's account of the 2007 fire is a cautionary testament to those who flirt with the rules. The story traces the accidental cause, the drama of conditions and the fight, and the aftermath of the huge fire that caused massive property damage but thankfully no lives. The author used testimonies, interviews and written and oral accounts of the time period in question, and also visited the sites. Written ten years following the fire, Griffith makes no excuses, no accusations that weren't already on the table, and makes no judgments where none are due.
The book is set up as a daily account of the events. He employs a prologue and aftermath which aren't strictly necessary since they are part of the story. There are numerous names and titles used throughout, as well as a nice sense of setting and people in the Gunflint Trail/Ham Lake area. There are a couple of repetitive places and quite a bit of conjecture which the author explains at length at the end. An exhaustive resource list is included. Recommended for those who are fans of true firefighting stories with thrilling real adventure and for those who love the Boundary Waters.
The book is set up as a daily account of the events. He employs a prologue and aftermath which aren't strictly necessary since they are part of the story. There are numerous names and titles used throughout, as well as a nice sense of setting and people in the Gunflint Trail/Ham Lake area. There are a couple of repetitive places and quite a bit of conjecture which the author explains at length at the end. An exhaustive resource list is included. Recommended for those who are fans of true firefighting stories with thrilling real adventure and for those who love the Boundary Waters.
September 20, 2024
A difficult read for me as a Minnesotan, a wilderness enthusiast, and someone terrified of fire since childhood when I was traumatized watching “The Towering Inferno” (I kept a suitcase packed with my most precious possessions for almost a year. I was seven.). Then I made the mistake, halfway through the book, of Googling for information about Steve Posniak and inadvertently learned his fate which made the whole reading ordeal even worse. Don’t Google unless you don’t want to wait to read it yourself (the book does eventually get there). As another reviewer mentioned, the fire in this story isn’t big when compared to fires west or north of here, but to Minnesota and its beloved BWCA region, it was —and still is —heartbreaking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2018
Griffith's non-fiction narrative of fighting the largest forest fire in Minnesota's recent history is a compellingly readable story. Exacting detail, vivid characters, and visual clarity make the reader empathize with real individuals who were impacted by a single, careless act. Of special interest to Minnesota history buffs, naturalists, fans of real-life heroes, and those wishing to know more about forest-fire fighting, this will be a favorite on many shelves - right along with Griffith's other non-fiction books of real Minnesotans in the woods (Lost in the Wild) and exploring caves (Opening Goliath).
August 2, 2018
I've been waiting for a book about the Ham Lake fire for years, so I was excited when this was published. The author has done a lot of great research and I enjoyed the read, but I felt that at times complicated technical details were mentioned and then skimmed over, which left me wanting more explanation. I also think there is enough detail in terms of where and what direction the fire was burning that some additional maps would have been useful to orient the reader.
Overall a good read and an enjoyable one, especially if you're familiar with the Gunflint Trail and/or interested in wildfires.
Overall a good read and an enjoyable one, especially if you're familiar with the Gunflint Trail and/or interested in wildfires.
September 10, 2022
A well written book that documents the timeline and people involved with fire, events/thoughts up to the fire, and the aftermath of it all. The book has a lot of "fire dialogue" on various levels, types of fires, conditions of fire, fire response....so much that it's a bit hard to remember but, the author does a good job with describing in laymen's terms.
My heart goes out to the people, wilderness, animals and cabins affected by the Gunflint fires. I also feel so bad for Steve Pozniak and how fast things turned so terrible for him. 😞; a lapse in judgement that many of us could be faulted for.
My heart goes out to the people, wilderness, animals and cabins affected by the Gunflint fires. I also feel so bad for Steve Pozniak and how fast things turned so terrible for him. 😞; a lapse in judgement that many of us could be faulted for.
September 6, 2018
This was a well written, exciting book that lays out the true store of the upper Minnesota forest fire of 2007. The writer keeps the story flowing while detailing what it takes to fight a fire, how it is done and the level of response. It is a good read, and a great story in the hands of a talented writer. If you love nature, are fascinated by books about wilderness fire fighting, or enjoy reading about the heroics of the brave firefighters this book is for you.
October 17, 2020
For those of you who love the Boundary Waters and possibly have experienced it firsthand, this is a must read. Likewise, those interested in a massive firefighting undertaking within a remote wilderness would find this a compelling read. I enjoyed it thoroughly and didn't feel lost in the details. Its personal, heroic, tragic, and does inspire awe and humility in the face of the powers of nature, and our stewardship responsibility
January 14, 2022
I read this while actually in the Boundary Waters and found it riveting, informative, and heartbreaking. I learned a lot about wildfires and the Gunflint Trail area, and the people who live there. I had no idea that there were sprinkler systems designed with the purpose of warding off fires. It was a unique, heavy experience reading this book about a wildfire while other wildfires blazed within the Boundary Waters at the same time I was there.
January 25, 2025
Gunflint falling is better written; the characters he follows are better established, the narrative is more thrilling. It’s clear author got practice with this book and took lessons forward. Still, I liked this one too. Sets the stage for the fire and then does a great job of describing the response cycle. Gets a little repetitive and redundant toward the end, but I understand author needs to capture the full history and battle against the fire.
February 27, 2018
I loved this book. I am from the North Woods of Minnesota and it was a delight to read the great way that neighbors came together to fight this fire. The book is exciting and fast paced. I could not put it down! The author is very good about moving the story along and making you feel part of the story! BRAVO to the author for a great book!
June 20, 2018
Fast paced book about the Ham Lake Fire in Minnesota. A compelling story about the people and property threatened during the fire and the numerous men and women that played roles in fighting it. It was fascinating to learn about the various ways in which fires are fought and the strategies employed.
July 11, 2018
Since I’m familiar with the area, I enjoyed this book and certainly learned more about wildfires and fighting them. I was expecting more anecdotal stories about how the firefight affected others on the trail. But I recommend this book to those who remember the fire or are interested in the subject.
July 16, 2018
Being from Minnesota, loving the BWCAW, and remembering the Ham Lake fire made this a must read book! It was extremely interesting learning about the complexities of fighting a wildfire. The different types of wildfires, the way fires are investigated and managed made this one a real page-turner. If you canoe the Boundary Waters pick this book up, you will not regret it.
August 28, 2019
Enlightening read
I have a greater understanding and appreciation of what it takes to fight a fire.
It was an interesting read. It does get a little bogged down with all of the "who's who" of the agencies I volved. Still worth the time to read especially if you are someone who enjoys the MN wilderness.
I have a greater understanding and appreciation of what it takes to fight a fire.
It was an interesting read. It does get a little bogged down with all of the "who's who" of the agencies I volved. Still worth the time to read especially if you are someone who enjoys the MN wilderness.
June 16, 2021
This nonfiction book reads as a novel. I really can't believe how well written it is and suspense filling. Often times not fiction books can be pretty dry and factual. Griffith makes it suspenseful and tells a story along with the historical accuracies of the fire. Great book for anyone interested in wildfires, the boundary waters, and general outdoors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews