Fire crews continue monitoring two wildfires in the Boundary Waters, fires growing slowly

Fire crews are monitoring two wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness east of Crane Lake, discovered Saturday afternoon.

The Tiger Fire, located between Tiger Bay and Boulder Bay on the east end of Lac La Croix, approximately 22 miles east of Crane Lake, is estimated to have burned one acre as of Sunday afternoon.

“The threats from this fire include the safety of wilderness visitors in the immediate area, 2-4 wilderness campsites, and the nearby Lac La Croix Administrative Site,” Superior National Forest officials said.

The Lac La Croix site is a historic Forest Service site with Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built structures.

The second wildfire is the Loon Fire, originally called the Shell Fire when reported on Saturday afternoon. As of Sunday afternoon, Forest Service officials said the estimated size is five acres. The wildfire is approximately 11 miles east of Crane Lake.

The threats from the fire include the safety of the wilderness visitors, about 2-4 campsites, and the Sioux-Hustler Hiking Trail, authorities said.

Loon Fire and Tiger Fire in the BWCAW | Graphic by Watch Duty

“The initial suppression strategy prioritized using the large Chinook helicopter to make water drops on the Tiger Fire to reduce fire intensity and stop the fire from spreading,” Superior National Forest officials said in a Sunday Facebook post.

Superior National Forest officials said both wildfires “appear to have started in pine stand knobs and were observed moving downslope with moderate spreading.”

Forest Service officials noted that a few BWCAW campsites near the two wildfires may be temporarily closed to the public.

The public is also asked to stay away from the area. Any unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flights threaten firefighter safety and wildland fire suppression efforts and are illegal near the fire area or the BWCAW, fire officials said.

A campfire ban went into effect in the BWCAW at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. The Forest Service issued the campfire restrictions due to the continued dry conditions and high fire danger throughout the Superior National Forest.

Forest Service officials said the restrictions prohibit campfires and the use of coal- or wood-burning stoves within the BWCAW to reduce the risk of wildfire.

The order will remain in effect until June 30 unless conditions improve and the Forest Service rescinds or extends the order.

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

Kalli Hawkins June 7, 2026