BWCA closures are reduced as Spice Lake Wildfire reaches 100 percent containment
The Spice Lake wildfire is now 100 percent contained.
With full containment of the wildfire, which was first detected on June 13, Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor, Earlene Jackson, has officially decreased the closed portion of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) to approximately 1,000 acres with an Emergency Forest Order # 09-09-23-04.
The closures originally went into effect on Friday, June 16.
The new forest order and restrictions go into effect beginning Thursday morning at, 12:01 a.m., June 22, 2023. The closure may be modified or extended as conditions indicate.
Six lakes with thirteen campsites and eight portages remain closed effective Thursday 12:01am, decreasing the closure to 1,000 acres.
Per the Emergency Forest Order, public entry (including day and overnight paddle and camping) is prohibited on the following six lakes with thirteen campsites, and eight portages:
BWCAW Lakes:
- Annie Lake
- Kingfisher Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake
- Skindance Lake
- Spice Lake
- Tickle Lake
BWCAW Portages:
- Jasper Lake to Kingfisher
- Kingfisher Lake to Ogishkemuncie Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Holt Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Skindance Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Spice Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Annie Lake
- Ogishkemuncie Lake to Mueller Lake
- Annie Lake to Jenny Lake
With the Spice Lake Fire now 100% contained, the Type 3 team was brought in to manage suppression actions is transitioning out of the area and turning the fire operations back over to the Superior National Forest on Wednesday, June 21. A reduced emergency closure for the Spice Lake fire area is still necessary for the safety of our visitors. Additional emergency support is on standby as the forecasted conditions increase the opportunity for new wildfire activity.
Northern Minnesota continues to face severe to extreme drought conditions, causing increased fire potential across the landscape. The Superior National Forest remains to have campfire restrictions in place.
Kalli Hawkins June 21, 2023
