In light of continued dry and windy conditions, the Forest Service has implemented campfire restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Superior National Forest. Campfires, charcoal or wood-burning camp stoves will be allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight within the entire BWCAW.
Use of gas and propane cook stoves is allowed at any time of day.
For public safety, due to active wildfire and projected dry conditions, an area surrounding Ensign Lake within the BWCAW will be closed to public use. Ensign Lake is in the Ely area.
A portion of the Snowbank Hiking Trail is also closed from the Snowbank/ Kekekabic Trailhead north along Snowbank, east around Wooden Leg Lake, around Grub Lake, south to and including the Boot Lake portage.
For details on restrictions or closures, forest visitors are asked to please check with one of the local Forest Service offices or visit the Forest web site at: www.fs.usda.gov/superior
Outside the BWCAW, caution is still advised. At press time the fire danger for Cook County was deemed to be “very high” and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources noted that fires can start easily from all causes, spread rapidly and intensify quickly. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in heavy fuels may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds.
Burn restrictions are in place for Cook County and burn permits are not being issued.
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