Wildfires prompt BWCAW closures and campfire ban

Kalli Hawkins | July 10, 2026

Growing wildfire activity on the Superior National Forest and within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has prompted officials to implement closures and a campfire ban.

The closures and campfire ban take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 11.

Forest Service officials said the restrictions are intended to protect public health and safety by limiting access to the three active wildfire areas within the BWCAW.

Current wildfire areas closed due to the Bear Trap, Thumb, and Wolfpack Fires are all located in the LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior National Forest in St. Louis County.

The following BWCAW entry point numbers and associated recreation sites and trails are closed to the public due to the three wildfires:

Angleworm Lake (OP) #20
Angleworm Trail (OH) #21
Blandin Trail (OH) #11
Herriman Trail (OH) #13
Little Indian Sioux River North (OP) #14
Little Vermilion Lake (OP, OM) #12
Lac La Croix Only (OP, OM) #12A
Moose/Portage River North (OP) #16
Mudro Lake – Restricted (OP) #22
Mudro Lake (OP) #23
South Hegman Lake #77 (OP) #77
Stuart River (OP) #19
Sioux Hustler Trail (OH) #15

For maps and more information, visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

Due to the continued dry conditions and wildfires, a campfire ban will take effect July 11. The emergency forest order restricts the ignition, building, maintenance, attending, or use of a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal, and woodburning stoves.

Gas and propane stoves are allowed throughout the BWCAW.

“The potential for wildfire is high across all ownerships in northern Minnesota,” Forest Service officials said in a press release. “It is extremely important that people are careful with any sources of ignition such as smoking devices, dragging chains, and recreational vehicles.

Wildfires throughout the Superior National Forest and within the BWCAW were discovered on Tuesday and Wednesday, with additional wildfires reported following aerial detections later in the week. As of Friday morning, there were as many as 15 active wildfires throughout the Superior National Forest.

July 10 Fire Danger | Graphic by Minnesota DNR

On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources increased the fire danger designation from moderate to high. for Cook, Lake, and the northern portion of St. Louis County. High fire danger means that fires can start easily and spread at a fast rate.

WTIP spoke with the National Weather Service in Duluth on July 9 about the upcoming hot and humid temperatures and a weekend outlook. Audio below.

More information is below:

Superior National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

Minnesota Incident Command System website at www.mnics.org

For statewide fire restriction information: https://mnics.org