The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was already having a bad year. In April, President Donald Trump signed H.J. Res. 140, overturning a 20-year rule that protected 225,504 acres of Superior National Forest from mineral and geothermal leasing. The decision reopened the surrounding national forest land to potential mineral development.
Now, wildfires have shut down the wilderness entirely. The U.S. Forest Service closed all public access to the Boundary Waters at 12 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, as fires spread amid unusually hot, dry, and windy weather.
The closure covers the entire 1-million–acre wilderness and approximately 1,900 campsites. The Forest Service hasn’t set a reopening date. The closure will remain in place until crews contain the fires and conditions are safe for visitors.
Nearly 20 Wildfires Burn Across Superior National Forest
Superior National Forest has recorded nearly 20 wildfires since July 7, with additional fires emerging throughout the week. The Forest Service said thunderstorms sparked many of the fires. High temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and dry vegetation helped them spread quickly.
The size and remoteness of the wilderness have also complicated efforts to reach visitors. The Forest Service said staff can’t safely locate and escort everyone out. Rangers are notifying the public and supporting firefighting operations while asking anyone still inside Boundary Waters to leave.
Permit holders with overnight paddle, motor, and hiking entry dates from July 13 through July 17 had their reservations canceled. Day-use motor permits from July 14 through July 17 were also canceled.
CBS Minnesota reported that the Forest Service had processed full refunds. Those dates reflect the first round of canceled reservations, not an expected reopening date.
Minnesota Mobilizes the National Guard
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency on July 12 and authorized the Minnesota National Guard to provide personnel, equipment, and other resources for the wildfire response.
The order said multiple fires had already prompted evacuations and closures across the northwestern portion of the Boundary Waters. State officials also warned that local and state agencies didn’t have enough resources to meet the growing demand, particularly in remote areas that require specialized aircraft.
Wildfires are rampant across the Mountain West, especially in Utah and Colorado, and are also wreaking havoc in Western Europe.
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