City of Ely, Minnesota

08/21/2026

Be aware of a road closure on CSAH 88 (Grant McMahan Blvd) when you are going "around the lake." Starting on Monday, August 24th

Public Works will be repairing a portion of CSAH 88 (Grant McMahan Blvd) on the northwest side of Shagawa Lake beginning Monday, August 24. No thru traffic will be allowed during the first week of the project, resulting in a detour around the lake.

CSAH 88 will be closed from 800 feet west of Camp Easton Rd. to 500 feet west of Camp Easton for construction to repair an area of the road that has been sliding. Detour signs will be posted, directing traffic to follow CSAH 88 and Highway 169 as an alternative.

The goal is to re-open the road by end of day on August 29, though work will continue at the site until mid-September.

Project Website: https://engage.stlouiscountymn.gov/26-csah88-slide

08/19/2026

Ely Community Response has partnered with the University of Minnesota Extension to bring an anonymous, 10-question Economic Wildfire Impact Survey to the area. This survey is designed for businesses and other organizations in St. Louis, Lake, Cook & Koochiching County.
The aggregate results will be shared with local and state leaders to advocate for relief support for our local and regional businesses and organizations that were hit hard during this unprecedented disaster.
Please encourage business owners & non-profit leaders that you know to fill out the survey and share.
https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8unMqBoUHdxSTOK?Q_CHL=qr&fbclid=IwY2xjawTyt-pwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVJFNmk2bExzcjZBUnB3TGxzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNbIQOmxjMFTwDuRDfQ9nzpVLEgA6GSiKcPDLgBBewF7fkjPr_dcIHMDuP-g_aem_8kR5Zw4MsVnHCOJklJvkTw
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

08/18/2026

💧 WATER OUTAGE NOTICE: UPDATE
Water should be turned back on by 5:30pm.

As part of the 2026 Infrastructure Project, water will be temporarily shut off on Wednesday, August 19, from approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The water outage will affect:

• Boundary Street and the James Street Alley between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue
• Boundary Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue — both sides of Boundary Street
• 246 E James Street
• 302 E Boundary Street

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while this important infrastructure work is completed.

Please plan accordingly and make arrangements for water needs during the outage.

08/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Ely to Hold Tribute honoring Wildland Firefighter Leslie R. Washington

The City of Ely invites the community to gather in remembrance of Leslie R. Washington of Noorvik, Alaska, a wildland firefighter and member of K-River Crew No. 2 with Scorched Earth Services (S.E.S. Fire).

Washington was deployed to Minnesota and assigned to the Bear Trap Fire, part of the July Lightning Fires near Ely. He passed away following a medical emergency while assigned to the incident on August 11.

A community tribute will be held:
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Whiteside Park, Ely, Minnesota

The gathering will provide an opportunity for the Ely community to honor Leslie’s life, his service, and the sacrifice made by wildland firefighters who travel far from home to protect communities in need.

The City of Ely extends its deepest condolences to Leslie’s family, friends, fellow firefighters, K-River Crew No. 2, Scorched Earth Services, and the community of Noorvik, Alaska.

The public is invited to attend.

08/10/2026

Cristofer Lempu stopped by Ely City Hall today to introduce himself. Cristofer is from Estonia and is spending the summer in Northern Minnesota, selling Southwestern Advantage educational products door-to-door as part of his college summer internship.

He has obtained the proper City of Ely license and has a badge displaying his credentials. This is not an endorsement of any kind, but a general announcement to the public of his presence in town.

We encourage the community to be aware of his presence and show him the kindness and respect that makes Ely such a wonderful community.

08/03/2026

Water/Sewer Project: Pattison Street to James Street Alley from 2nd Avenue to 4th Avenue
The Contractor is currently installing Temporary Water to the properties and Excavating will begin in the alley on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
This project will impact alley access for these properties, so please plan ahead.

08/01/2026

Brush Dump on Lookout Ridge Road Update:

The brush dump on Lookout Ridge Road will be open tomorrow, Saturday, August 1st.
Thanks for everyone’s patience and understanding during these times.

07/29/2026

Power Outage West End of Ely:
Minnesota Power has informed the Ely Public Utilities that an emergency repair is required tonight Wednesday July 29th at midnight to remove a hazard on the transmission line feeding the west portion of Ely. This repair will require taking the transmission line out of service for approximately 30 minutes effecting service to the west side of Ely. Minnesota Power and the Ely Utilities Commission apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

07/20/2026

Burning Restrictions in Effect!!

⚠️ ALERT ⚠️

To help ensure public safety and protect natural resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is activating Class IV burning restrictions beginning 12:01 p.m., Monday, July 20, for Cook, Koochiching, Lake and northern St. Louis counties, and also including all of George Washington State Forest and Scenic State Park. While the DNR’s restrictions do not control tribal lands, these restrictions align with current burning regulations for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Under Class IV burning restrictions:
🔥 Campfires or recreational fires are not allowed.
🔥 Welding, acetylene torches, or other devices with open flame are prohibited in proximity to combustible vegetation, except under special permits.
🔥 Only gas or propane camp stoves may be used in the backcountry or at campsites.
🔥 Charcoal fires are allowed, in a grill designed for that purpose, at occupied homes, cabins and resorts.

Forecasts call for erratic weather, shifting winds, and the potential for isolated damaging wind gusts and thunderstorms, which will significantly challenge firefighting efforts. With little precipitation and above‑average temperatures expected, fire danger is likely to remain high until the area receives substantial rainfall. Restrictions will remain in place until lifted by the DNR commissioner.

Public safety is our highest priority. If you spot a wildfire, move to a safe location and call 911 immediately. Ensure you obey all closures.

For current fire danger and burning restrictions, visit: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html

07/19/2026

Community Meeting Notice

**COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE**
Join us for a Community Meeting on the current fire situation at the Vermillion Campus auditorium in Ely, Sunday, July 19 at 7 pm. Or, tune-in on our virtual option right here on the Superior National Forest page. Topics will include: fire status, summary of operations, evacuations, closures, smoke and weather outlook.

Questions can be submitted ahead of time (by 5pm Sunday) by emailing: [email protected]