Campfire restrictions lifted across Superior National Forest, BWCAW

On Monday, the U.S. Forest Service lifted all campfire restrictions throughout the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also removed Class III burning restrictions for Cook, Lake, and northern St. Louis Counties. Removing Class III restrictions allows campfires and recreational fires in remote, backcountry, and dispersed areas on non-federal and non-Tribal lands.

Cooler weather and recent precipitation have reduced fire danger across northern Minnesota, officials said.

Although conditions have improved, officials caution that conditions can change quickly and that fall is traditionally a dry season across the state.

“While conditions have improved, we’re not done with fire danger this year, as fall is just around the corner,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist. “It’s important for people to continue following wildfire prevention tips such as proper campfire safety and using caution when doing outdoor activities that create heat or sparks.”

The decision to lift the campfire restrictions was made collaboratively with the U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The DNR said permits are still required to burn vegetation such as grass, leaves, logs, and branches, and include any fire larger than 3 feet high by 3 feet wide or one not contained within a fire ring that is burning vegetative debris.

“Regular and variance burning permits can now be obtained,” said Aaron Mielke, the DNR fire program forester-assistant area forester for the Grand Marais office.

DNR officials said the agency will continue to monitor conditions and will adjust county-specific burning restrictions as necessary.

Campfire restrictions were put in place after several wildfires began following a lightning strike event across the northern regions of the state. The July lightning fires have burned more than 76,000 acres between the U.S. and Canada. As of Monday, 598 personnel remain assigned to the wildfires.

The Camp Fire, north of Ely and Winton, is 97% contained. Farther west, the Sioux Fire is 76% contained, with crews continuing to suppress remaining heat along the fire edge. The Bear Trap Fire, one of the largest wildfires approximately 20 miles north of Ely, is 55% contained. And lastly, the Thumb Fire sits at 55% containment as of Monday.

As of mid-August, more than 1,600 of the roughly 2,000 BWCAW campsites had reopened for public use. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, two additional BWCAW entry points, the Little Indian Sioux River South and the South Hegman Lake along the Echo Trail, will reopen.

For the latest updates and emergency notices, check the official Superior National Forest Alerts Page. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

For statewide fire restriction information:  www.mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions

Kalli Hawkins August 25, 2026