Search staff set up camp to search for missing canoeists

Search teams have set up camp in the Boundary Waters and expect to spend the weekend continuing the search for two missing canoeists.

Jesse Melvin Haugen, 41, of Cambridge, Minn., and Reis Melvin Grams, 40, of Lino Lakes, Minn., have been gone since two canoes crossed Curtain Falls on May 18.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says efforts are difficult due to weather conditions, rising water levels and current in the search area. More than a dozen crew members are on the ground and several others work in the air and at command posts.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Rescue Team received “an influx of help” from the Minnesota National Guard, Ely Fire Department, Ely Police Department on Thursday , Minnesota DNR, U.S. Forest Service and Anderson Canoe Outfitters.

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With better weather on Thursday, they brought in personnel and equipment like boats (Zodiacs and canoes), sonars, ROVs, drones and dogs.

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A seriously injured canoeist, a 47-year-old man from Ham Lake, Minnesota, and another uninjured canoeist, a 43-year-old man also from Ham Lake, were airlifted. The injured person was flown to Essentia Duluth with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Another member of their group, a 33-year-old man from Cambridge, Minnesota, had returned to their campsite.