Firefighters respond to overnight fire near Bearskin and Daniels lakes

Firefighters with the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire between Bearskin Lake and Daniels Lake near the mid-trail area of the Gunflint Trail late Thursday night.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the fire at about 11:08 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. Firefighters were dispatched shortly afterward and began suppression efforts, including applying water. Firefighters continued suppression efforts until shortly after 2 a.m. before returning to the Fire Halls.

Gunflint Trail Fire Department responding to the fire | Photo courtesy of the Gunflint Trail Fire Department

Cook County Sheriff Ben Hallberg told WTIP Friday morning that the fire was estimated at 110 feet by 40 feet and was located near the portage between Bearskin Lake and Daniels Lake.

Daniels Lake is within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

On Friday morning at approximately 8:30 a.m., firefighters with the Gunflint Trail Fire Department returned to the area to assess and monitor the area for any remaining hot spots.

At 9:51 a.m., the Gunflint Trail firefighters reported the fire had been extinguished and firefighters were returning to the Fire Halls.

Hallberg said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. He said the U.S. Forest Service has been informed of the fire.

The Forest Service has named the fire the Daniels Lake Portage Fire.

Kalli Hawkins August 14, 2026