 All the downed timber created a huge fire risk that contributed to the Cavity Lake and Ham Lake fires less than a decade later. The blowdown also transformed the forest. In many places, giant pines have been replaced by spruce and fir, aspen and birch. I'm Dan Crocker, Duluth. The Mississippi River at St. Paul dropped out of major flood stage early this morning after cresting at 20.17 feet on Saturday.