Ely Community Response hits full stride with helpful tips

ELY—As wildfires continue to affect northeastern Minnesota, Ely Community Response hosted an informational meeting this past Friday evening to provide residents with practical guidance on supporting relief efforts, protecting their health from wildfire smoke, and preparing their homes in case fire conditions worsen.
The volunteer group, which formed to assist residents and businesses affected by the fires, brought together representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, local health care provider, and wildfire preparedness experts.
“Our main job is just to get things to people in need,” said Megan Wind, an organizer with Ely Community Response.
Wind said the organization has focused on figuring out what people need and getting those resources to them, which has included up to date information, direct assistance with evacuation and preparedness, and items such as N95 masks and air purifiers.
“This is community first, neighbors helping neighbors,” Wind said.
Donations and
community support
Officials emphasized that while many people want to help firefighters, some forms of assistance are more useful than others.
Most firefighters do not need donations of food, water, or clothing, said Catherine Koele, a public information officer with the Superior National Forest. Large quantities of donated goods can create logistical challenges for crews managing the fires.Instead, Koele encouraged monetary donations to organizations directly supporting wildfire response, including the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, local fire departments, and the St. Louis County Rescue Squad.
Ely Community Response has also raised more than $20,000 through a GoFundMe campaign for the Morse-Fall Lake Fire Department.
Businesses interested in providing meals or lodging for firefighters should coordinate with the Kawishiwi ranger station in Ely, where a logistics team can provide assistance.
Officials also encouraged community members to write thank-you cards or create signs for firefighters.
“Those little things, for people who are away from home, mean the most,” said Kaysee Miller, a Forest Service public information officer.
Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke
Bria Schurke, an emergency medicine provider with Essentia Health, encouraged residents to limit their exposure to wildfire smoke whenever possible.
The best protection, she said, is staying indoors with windows and doors closed while using an air purifier.
Schurke said N95 respirators are the most effective masks for filtering wildfire smoke. She recommended that people with respiratory conditions wear an N95 mask when the Air Quality Index reaches 100 to 150, and that everyone wear one when the AQI exceeds 150.
“Surgical masks don’t do anything for fire smoke,” Schurke said. “An N95, or any well-fitting HEPA-approved mask, should be sufficient.”
Because commercial air purifiers can be expensive, Schurke demonstrated how residents can create a low-cost air filtration system by attaching a MERV-rated furnace filter to a standard box fan.
She acknowledged that keeping windows closed during hot weather can be difficult. Residents needing a cooler indoor space were encouraged to use facilities, including the HUB, the Ely Public Library, Carbonation, the Ely Historic State Theatre and several local churches.
Reducing wildfire risk at home
Gloria Erickson, who worked for over a decade as Dovetail’s Community Wildfire Project Manager, shared several recommendations for reducing wildfire risk to properties.
She encouraged residents to make E-911 address signs clearly visible, maintain driveways with at least 14 feet of vertical and horizontal clearance and remove combustible vegetation, like pine needles, near homes.
“What gets houses are embers,” Erickson said. “Imagine you are an ember looking to start a fire.”
Erickson also recommended residents:
• Store firewood at least 30 feet from structures.
• Clear flammable debris from beneath decks.
• Close windows before evacuating and leave an interior light on so firefighters can locate the home.
• Disconnect propane tanks if evacuation becomes necessary.
Erickson encouraged residents to learn more through Firewise USA about reducing wildfire risks.
Ely Community Response can assist homeowners in preparing their properties.
Preparing for possible evacuations
Speakers stressed the importance of preparing before evacuation orders are issued.
Koele encouraged residents to sign up for county emergency alerts.
“We should all be ready,” Koele said, “because you’re adjacent to a fire right now.”
Evacuation decisions are made by St. Louis County and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, and posted on the office’s Wildfire Evacuation Map webpage at sheriff-slcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/wildfire.
Meanwhile, Ely Community Response is building a volunteer network to help neighbors during evacuations.
If residents need assistance finding temporary shelter for pets, storing valuables, or meeting other evacuation-related needs, they can contact Ely Community Response for assistance, Schurke said.
The organization has a Facebook page, a Substack page, and can be contacted via email at elycommunityresponse@gmail.com.
Officials also directed residents to a page on the Ely Chamber of Commerce tourism website, Ely.org/still-Ely, which maintains updated information on evacuation orders, air quality alerts and current fire conditions.
“I have never seen an effort like this before,” Koele said.
Ely Community Response links:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/ElyCommunityResponse/
Substack - elycommunityresponse.substack.com