Hungry Jack Lodge Lost Again

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Fire destroyed the main building at Hungry Jack Lodge along the Gunflint Trail Wednesday. According to the Cook County Sheriff's Department, the fire was reported at 1:22 p.m. The Gunflint Fire Department and Gunflint ambulance responded to the scene. The main building was reported to be a total loss before 5:30 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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The Gunflint Trail Fire Department sprang into action yesterday afternoon to fight a fire in the main lodge building at Hungry Jack Lodge. Gunflint Trail Fire Department Chief Dan Baumann reported that the fire department was contacted at 1:23 pm and had engines enroot at 1:37 pm. A total of 15 fire fighters, four engines, and an ambulance with four medical personnel were dispatched to the scene. No one was injured, but the lodge building was destroyed. Baumann says the fire was very aggressive and the main crew was on duty until about 10 pm last night. Crews stayed throughout the evening and into the morning applying water to the structure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation although Baumann says he has a good idea of how it started and will be able to say more on the cause soon. Baumann talked with WTIP Host Veronica Weadock on Thursday’s AM Community Calendar Program. To hear the full interview click the link below or tune in to WTIP’s PM Community Calendar Program this evening between 5-6 pm.

http://tinyurl.com/3c2lcd

[bwca]

The lodge has burned three times. The first in 1931, then again in 1972. Some historical photos can be found here:
http://bwcaboard.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=284

[vid]

Well that sucks.

[PaddlerJimmy]

That's really sad.

[bwca]

Hungry Jack Lodge Burns Again
BoundaryWatersBlog, Sue Prom, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

Yesterday was another day that will be added to the history pages for Hungry Jack Lodge. For the third time in history the lodge was consumed by fire. 1931, 1972 and now 2008 will be remembered as the year Hungry Jack Lodge burned.



March 26, 2008 was a long day for Forrest Parson, his friends and the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Fire fighters from the GTVFD spent all day trudging through water, slipping on ice and freezing their fingers as Hungry Jack Lodge on the Gunflint Trail was ravaged by flames. They continued their vigil throughout the night keeping water on hot spots as they flared up.



When responders first arrived there was hope that something could be done to save the lodge. That hope was quickly diminished as flames got hotter and higher. When fire shot out through the roof of the entirely log structure the fresh air fed the flames even more. It didn't seem to matter how much water was put on the building it just kept flaring up and consuming more and more of the historic lodge.



The fire raged on and smoke filled the air. As the minutes went by little hope remained for any of the treasures that were once held inside of this fine building. The majestic rock chimneys that once stood stoic as a focal point of the lodge would now stand alone and tattered amongst the charred rubble.



Memories of happier times at Hungry Jack Lodge danced across the rainbows created by the spray of water. It was only one month ago when the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association held their annual meeting in the lodge. Little did we know we would all be back so soon.

Into the night fire fighters worked by their lights waiting for the next shift to arrive. Keeping watch, rolling hose and wishing there was more that could have been done. Sadness filled the hearts of many as only the skeleton of what was once a grand lodge survived.

Out of the ashes great things can grow. May Hungry Jack Lodge rise again bigger and better than ever before.

[bwca]

Hungry Jack Lodge - Fire and Ice
BoundaryWatersBlog, Sue Prom, Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

Two polar opposites to describe the same situation at the same time. It seems difficult to believe a fire could be raging while icicles were forming. A body sweating but a beard or fingers freezing. That was the case at Hungry Jack Lodge on Wednesday, March 26th.





The temperature was cold and the fire was hot. There were flames burning through snow. It just didn't seem real.





How could it be. I had put the belief in my brain that there couldn't be a fire in the winter, yet I heard it with my own ears. As I rounded the corner and saw the smoke over Hungry Jack Lake I still couldn't trust my own eyes. It just couldn't be true. Not another fire on the Gunflint Trail. Maybe it is a mock training for the GTVFD? It's good practice to cut holes in the ice and pump water on a burning structure in a controlled environment. Yep, that's what it must be. Except for Mike is in charge of training and I didn't know about it and Baker's were in town and leaving, they wouldn't miss it. It must be real. Let me squeeze my eyes real tight and see if it's still there when I open them.





I shout an obscenity as I drive closer. "What's wrong Mom?" Abby is my passenger in the vehicle and I reply, "It's on fire Abby." The dumb look I often gave my parents as a teenager crossed my daughter's face as she said, "Mom, you knew that, that's why we're going there." "I know Abby, I was just hoping and praying it was all a mistake." "Can you smell that Abby? It's smoke, see that? It's on fire." She shakes her head and continues reading her book.







She sits in the car patiently reading her book for over an hour out of view of the fire before I finally go to check on her. She knows to stay away, she knows who to tell if she needs something and she isn't interested in the fire. I return and she asks, "Did you get it put out?" I take her by the hand, tell her to stay by me and come look. She watched the action for a few minutes and then returned to the car and her book. It was as if the fire was a normal every day occurence, no big deal Mom.



Abby was sorry Hungry Jack Lodge was on fire, she enjoyed her time there last month, was worried about the people who lived there and wanted to help take care of the girl's puppy who lived there too. But, if she couldn't play with the puppy she may as well just read her book.

I returned to the car after another hour or so and told her we were leaving to get Josh from the school bus. "Is it out Mom?" "No honey, it isn't yet, Dad is staying." Back to the book she went.

When we picked Josh up she said, "Josh, you know that place we played pool at with Wyatt and Jaret during the fire department meeting? It burned down today. I saw it." "Oh. Mom can I play on your computer when we get home?" "HELLLOOO CHILDREN, ANYBODY HOME?"

I couldn't believe how casual this conversation sounded. I don't ever remember seeing a fire as a kid. How can they not be in shock and disbelief? Who are these kids and why are they calling me Mom?

I was raging with anger and they were cool as cucumbers. There was snow on the roof and flames in the windows. Two polar opposites. Fire and ice at Hungry Jack Lodge.

[Magdalene]

That is so sad.

[PaddlerJimmy]

from their website:

The main lodge at Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground was destroyed by fire on March 26th. No one was injured as a result of the fire. We are temporarily using Deer Cabin as our main lodge.

If you have a cabin or campground reservation there is no need for you to cancel your reservation. We are open and business will be run as usual during our clean up and the construction of a new main lodge building.

Phone service is back to normal, however our email and internet usage is very limited until such time as we get a new satellite dish, modem and other equipment hooked up for our internet service.


construction of a new main lodge
The cost to construct a new main lodge building will of course be very expensive. With this in mind, needing a new main lodge that will be of a caliber that not only matches but will exceed our old lodge, we have made initial contact with the TV show EXTREME MAKEOVER. It is our hope that they will consider Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground as a candidate for a makeover and show.

You can help us with this endeavor by sending emails and hard copy letters about what Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground has meant to you, your families and friends. The more emails and letters that we receive, the better our chances are of having EXTREME MAKEOVER consider us as a serious candidate for one of their projects.

In view of the the above we ask that you please send us a testimonial email or letter as soon as possible to the email address or mailing address shown near the bottom of this page. In your correspondence please expound upon how many years you have been coming to Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground and how your vacations with us have touched your lives, the lives of your children, other family members and friends. Also please mention what you enjoyed about the main lodge. Please word the testimonials as if they are being written to Extreme Makeover but be sure to email it to info@hungryjacklodge.com . Because our email capabilities are currently not the best we ask that, if it is at all possible, please mail a hard copy of the letter to us at 372 Hungry Jack Rd., Grand Marais, MN 55604.

we need your help ! ! - please send your email or letter today ! !


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Contact Information
To Reach Hungry Jack Lodge, for information, reservations, or to check availability use the contact information below.

Toll Free (Reservations): 1-800-338-1566

Telephone: 1-218-388-2265

FAX: 1-218-388-0562

Postal address: 372 Hungry Jack Road, Grand Marais, MN 55604

[pierre]

My grandfather and g-grandfather knew Hungry Jack. A lady at our church is one of his descendents. Never stayed at the lodge, but warmed up there a couple of times after ice fishing and used the phone. People who ran it were very nice. Hope they can build again.

[slackadocious]

Hmm... too bad it burned.. I guess everyone would like to see it rebuilt, but..

Not sure Extreme Makeover is the best way to go about it.

Frankly, what do the producers on that show know about the northwoods and its culture?

Sure those shows throw a bunch of money around, but its obvious by watching these shows that corners are being cut by everyone. Even tho the contractors on the show are undoubtedly payed top dollar.

I am sure there are a few local contractors, sensitive to the northwoods culture and sensibilities who would do this job for a fare price.

In fact I used to work for an Architect in Duluth who would be a perfect choice for a project such as this.. They built the Hartly Nature Center in Hartly Park, Duluth, which was designed as a minimal impact structure / education center made to fit in with the natural surroundings.. check the link
http://www.staniusjohnson.com/portfolio/government/007.php


Anyway, thems my 2 cents.. Enjoy

[PaddlerJimmy]

Fire Relief Fund
A Fire Relief Fund has been set up for Forrest and Hungry Jack Lodge and Campground at Grand Marais State Bank in Grand Marais, MN. thanks to Luana Brandt of Nor'Wester Lodge. Persons interested in donating should make their checks payable to the Forrest Parson Fire Relief Fund. Donations can be mailed to:

Grand Marais State Bank
P.O. Box 100
Grand Marais, MN 55604 USA

Donations can also be made by credit card or wire transfer. Please call Jessica at Grand Marais State Bank,
(800) 835-1293 to make a donation by credit card or for information about a wire transfer to the fund.

[bwca]

Road ban snags Hungry Jack fire
cleanup
Jane Howard and Rhonda Silence, Cook County Star
According to the Cook County Sheriff's Department, the cause of the March 26, 2008 fire that destroyed the main building at Hungry Jack Lodge was a candle left burning in a lower level bathroom.
The candle had been on a shelf, resting on top of a bar of soap, with no protective cover surrounding it.
Hungry Jack Lodge owner Forrest Parson plans to rebuild, but cleaning up after the Hungry Jack Lodge fire is not going to be easy or cheap. Former Gunflint Trail lodge owner Dave Tuttle and Thoreson construction employee Greg Gastecki appealed to the Cook County Board of Commissioners along with Parson on April 8 to request a hardship exemption from the spring breakup road ban.
The ban is prohibiting Parson from hauling large loads of debris from the site where the log building burned. The 56-day road ban will be in effect until May 15, when vacationers will be ready to use Hungry Jack's remaining facilities. Parson said he has been dealing with his insurance company and has the go-ahead to do the demolition.
Tuttle said the effect of having the building debris sitting there when the spring tourist season starts would be detrimental to the guests at Hungry Jack Lodge.
Gastecki said about ten full loads would be needed to clear the property of debris from the building. If twenty half-loads were used consisting of a combination of ashes (which are currently wet and icy) along with lighter-weight burned logs, Gastecki said, "I don't think we would affect the durability of the county road or the Gunflint Trail." The loads could be transported in the morning when the roads are harder. Gastecki said he thought the surface of the roads might be affected, but that could be restored with grading.
County Engineer Shae Kosmalski recommended against the road ban exemption for budgetary reasons, saying the effects on the dirt and paved roads would cost money. Allowing roads to possibly be damaged doesn't make sense when the county already doesn't have enough money to keep up its roads properly, she said. She also said that although this is "a bit of a tier above" the needs of loggers and pulpwood companies, she would expect local loggers and Hedstrom's Lumber Company to come forward with requests for exemptions if the county agreed to this one. Martinson said a home manufacturing company had also asked him for an exemption to bring in materials for a home on Tate Lake.
Gastecki said that he doesn't think a business should ask for an exemption for something they know about ahead of time, just to keep their workers busy, but that this is a different situation.
Parson indicated that debris from the building could contain toxins from wood stain, paints, or cleaning supplies and suggested that it might be best to remove the debris before spring rains and melting snow could carry any toxins into the lake, which is not far from the burn site. Tuttle said the majority of property owners on Hungry Jack Lake get their water from the lake, so potential runoff could be an issue for them.
Sobanja said the issue seems to be the potential health hazard of leaving the debris in place until May versus potential damage to roads (which could be fixed), along with the political fallout from allowing an exemption.

Hungry Jack Lodge is located off County Road 65 about halfway up the Gunflint Trail. Debris from the fire would need to be transported to the Tofte transfer station, which would take two and a half to three hours round-trip. Hauling lighter loads that stayed under road ban limits would require many more trips to the transfer station. Commissioner Fritz Sobanja suggested asking the insurance company to pay for the extra cost.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson said the insurance company would probably need to pay for moving the debris within the confines of the law. Parson said the insurance company has a cap on the cost of hauling debris, and he will be responsible for about one third of the cost of hauling the debris away.
Kosmalski said she believed the economics of double hauling would be prohibitive. Using the county demolition site on the Gunflint Trail would be more cost-effective, but the ashes could not be buried there because of chemicals that could be in the ashes. Solid Waste Officer Tim Nelson said concrete from the site could be deposited permanently in the county landfill, but that would be more complicated than placing it there temporarily.
Kosmalski suggested hauling the concrete waste to a county site, which would be much closer than Tofte, and then hauling the rest with half-loads, which would cost closer to what it would cost to haul all of it to Tofte.
Commissioner Bob Fenwick asked Nelson what prevents them from simply reburning the building to the ground. Nelson said the building would have to be stripped of any materials that could not be burned, such as wood that has been stained. Tim Nelson said he could find out what would need to be done in order to burn the rest of the building down. It was noted that the Gunflint Trail fire department did a great job in getting the fire out (leaving many of the logs charred but whole)! One difficulty with burning, said Parson, is that the whole building is a mish-mash of different materials burned to varying degrees already.
Kosmalski said she would be willing to talk with Parson's insurance company about the difficulties caused by the road ban and the potential for a lot of extra cost due to transporting many light loads such a great distance.
The board agreed that they were willing to allow the hauling if the concrete could be put on county land and the hauling could be done in twenty half-loads, some of which could be over the road ban weight limit. The commissioners approved a motion in this regard, noting that potential health hazards were why they were willing to do this. Commissioner Jim Johnson was not present at the meeting.

[bwca]

I drove in to Hungry Jack this weekend. They are still open with their cabins, bait shop, and campground.

Here are some pictures of the clearing in progress of the old lodge:







Photos by Erik W. L. Anderson, BoundaryWatersCanoeArea.com

[bwca]

According to Hungry Jack's Blog, the demolition is now complete and they hope to begin construction on a new lodge by the end of September.

[bwca]

Help Raise Funds to Rebuild
Hungry Jack Lodge
Southern BBQ - August 17th 1 PM

Baby back ribs, chicken, southern slaw, and beans

$15 Per Person - Under 10 Free
Advanced Registration Required
218-388-2265

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Hungry Jack Construction - October 2008

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Hungry Jack construction 12/6/08 - Scheduled completion is mid-April

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The new lodge at Hungry Jack is scheduled to open this June 2009.

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Hungry Jack Lodge 12/6/08

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Hungry Jack Lodge 3/29/09

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