Gunflint Trail museum remains open, offers refuge during wildfire season

Over the past week, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center has been within the area of the Gunflint Trail placed under a “Ready” evacuation order Monday and upgraded to “Set” the following day. The hours that followed were filled with uncertainty, but in recent days the museum has returned to business as usual.

“When the orders started coming in, we were, you know, just nervous that we’re going to have to close,” Chik-Wauk Executive Director Mark Hennessy told WTIP on Thursday. “But we’ve been watching the fire apps, and at least currently things look pretty good. It’s still quite a distance from the Gunflint Trail. ”

Like many businesses along the Gunflint Trail, Chik-Wauk remains open despite smoky conditions and evacuation orders. The museum is air-conditioned and offers indoor activities, including talks and videos, at a time when health officials are urging residents and visitors to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity.

The museum also offers visitors historical context on wildfire activity along the Gunflint Trail through an exhibit that traces major fires in the region over the past several centuries.

“This is not unusual,” Hennessy said. “The fires that are happening maybe are a little bit more severe this summer, and that they’re happening in the middle of July is also a bit unusual.”

Hennessy said the Gunflint Trail community, particularly businesses near the end of the trail,  has always supported each other and continues to do so during the wildfire emergency. The closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and hazardous air-quality conditions have created uncertainty for businesses that rely heavily on summer tourism.

While Chik-Wauk remains open, Hennessy said staff members are prepared to evacuate if conditions change.

“We’re feeling good about that. They’ve got a place to go to,” Hennessy said.

Visitors interested in current operating conditions can check Chik-Wauk’s social media pages or visit gunflinthistory.org

WTIP spoke with Hennessy about conditions at the end of the Gunflint Trail and how the museum is navigating uncertainty caused by the wildfires. Audio of that conversation can be found below.

Josh Hinke July 17, 2026