Forest Service evaluating partial reopening of BWCAW

This article was updated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

The U.S. Forest Service said it is evaluating whether portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can safely reopen.

During a Monday press conference in Ely, Superior National Forest Supervisor Tom Hall said officials are reviewing the current closure, which remains in effect through Friday, July 24, to determine whether some areas can reopen.

“At this time we are assessing opportunities to reduce the closure in the areas that make the most sense,” Hall said during the press conference. “Right now we don’t have the timing of exactly what that will look like or when that will occur, but that is something we’re working on presently.”

Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, National Weather Service and other agencies participated in the briefing. Officials welcomed the rainfall received Friday and Monday, saying it provided a temporary reprieve, while emphasizing that warm, dry weather and lightning continue to pose a wildfire risk across the Arrowhead.

Outfitters and businesses across northern Minnesota that rely on the BWCAW are feeling the effects of the closures.

“That’s our bread and butter,” said Voyageur Canoe Outfitter owner Matt Ritter. “That’s what we do, that’s what we do well.”

The Voyageur Canoe Outfitter owners operate their business at the end of the Gunflint Trail on the Seagull River.

With the nearby Little Knife Fire, which originated in Canada and earlier this week crossed the border into the U.S., and several other large wildfires throughout the wilderness area, Matt and Cassidy Ritter said, their guests have started canceling trips not just for the rest of July, but for upcoming trips in August, September, and the remainder of the season.

The Ritters have had to adjust to a slower season marked by canceled trips, while working to keep staff employed.

“We recognize that the economy up here is driven by the Boundary Waters. That we have outfitters and businesses, small businesses that are dependent on recreation in the Boundary Waters for their livelihoods, and that this is prime time for their income,” said Drew Stroberg, the acting forest supervisor for the Superior National Forest during a Monday Gunflint Trail public meeting.

Stroberg said, “So that is not a decision that we have taken or take lightly. We’re visiting that decision daily.”

At the end of the Sawbill Trail, owner Claire and Dan Shirley are also navigating the impacts from the BWCAW closures.

“I’m really hopeful that we’ll be able to allow maybe some day trips in the Sawbill area sometime soon,” Claire said. “We could salvage a lot of our season if people could even just go fish and paddle.”

Evacuation designations remain in place for areas throughout Cook and Lake Counties and in areas farther to the west and closer to the larger wildfires burning within the BWCAW.

During the Ely press conference, Shane Sturgill, with the Complex Incident Management Team, encouraged residents in areas under “Ready” or “Set” evacuation status to use the improved conditions to prepare in case evacuation orders are issued.

“I ask that you start planning now.  Think about what you might need to take, how you’re gonna leave, where you’re gonna go. Don’t wait until you’re in an evacuation to make those decisions,” Sturgill said.

Air Resource Advisor Josh Hall said air quality is expected to improve at times but warned that smoke could return as weather patterns change. He encouraged residents, particularly those most vulnerable to wildfire smoke, to prepare while conditions are favorable.

Now is the time to get ready if there is more smoke coming in the future,” Hall said. “Young, elderly, people with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women are all susceptible to smoke, and there’s likely a lot of people out in the community that are suffering. So this is a great opportunity to kind of take those mitigations.”

WTIP will continue to provide updates on the live update page.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins contributed to this report. 

Josh Hinke July 20, 2026