Fire Smoldering In Boundary Waters Canoe Area

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. (AP) -- Authorities in the Superior National Forest are keeping an eye on a forest fire smoldering in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

While the Gaskin Lake fire wasn't initially expected to spread much beyond three acres, officials said Wednesday it's grown to six.

The main fire is on a peninsula on the southwest end of Gaskin Lake, where campers found it Monday night. It's not clear how it started. One small spot fire was detected on the north side of the lake Tuesday and was controlled with water drops.

The strategy is to let the fire burn to the south and west of the lake while limiting its spread on the north side.

Gaskin Lake is south of the Gunflint Trail and about 20 miles northwest of Grand Marais.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)