Forest Service lifts campfire ban on Superior National Forest lands, including BWCA

Due to widespread heavy rains over the last few days, the US Forest Service is lifting the current campfire restrictions, effective immediately.

The use of campfires, charcoal and wood-burning camp stoves are again allowed on all national forest system lands at all times of the day within the Superior National Forest, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA).

The campfire ban was put in place June 30 as dry conditions across the massive national forest in northeastern Minnesota. Indeed, several wildfires started on the west side of the BWCA near Ely during the busy Fourth of July weekend, all of them started by lightning strikes. These fires are now contained.

In a statement sent to WTIP July 10, the Forest Service said visitors are reminded that the region is currently in summer fire season and there is always a potential for wildfires.

Joe Friedrichs July 10, 2020