GRAND MARAIS -- The Ham Lake fire sent out new fingers of flame on the south side of the Gunflint Trail Friday, but lighter winds and cooler temperatures kept it from exploding as it had the day before.
That good news was tempered by an updated tally of how much has been lost to the fire. The Cook County Sheriff's Department counted 134 buildings claimed to date at an estimated loss of $3.7 million. That includes 62 homes and cabins, 44 buildings at the Wilderness Canoe Base, 22 outbuildings and six garages.
The Gunflint Trail remained closed to all outside traffic past the Poplar fire station, and a "precautionary" evacuation was in effect for much of the rest of the trail.
Fire information officer Bill Paxton said most people have evacuated.
Fire officials revised their earlier estimate of 55,000 acres affected by the fire downward to about 52,000 acres, or 81 square miles. More than 650 people have been working the fire, which has cost more than $3.19 million to battle.
