Boundary Waters, Message Board, Forum, BWCA, BWCAW, Quetico Park
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
    Trip Planning Forum
       Any news on the Seagull area?
          Reply
Date/Time: 03/28/2024 01:30PM
Any news on the Seagull area?

* Help stop spam. Please enter the lake name you see over the flying moose.

  

Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
cyclones30 09/16/2021 12:17PM
shock: "piggy backing on this thread , i previous read there were some bear issues on Seagull , any info on that as of late , TY"


Hard to know since it was fully closed just a bit ago. The bears had to find some other food for once since they couldn't prey on human foods for that time
unshavenman 09/16/2021 11:13AM
ockycamper: "Anyone heard any changes on the fire ban? I talked to the Forest Service this week and "Josh" said they are evaluating lifting the ban but no changes as yet."
I called the Forest Service yesterday afternoon and was told that while they will typically follow the DNR restriction changes, they didn't have any updates yet and the entire BWCAW still remains under a fire ban.
shock 09/16/2021 09:43AM
piggy backing on this thread , i previous read there were some bear issues on Seagull , any info on that as of late , TY
ockycamper 09/16/2021 08:53AM
Anyone heard any changes on the fire ban? I talked to the Forest Service this week and "Josh" said they are evaluating lifting the ban but no changes as yet.
scotttimm 09/09/2021 12:37PM
ockycamper: "I just called the forest service. Seagull and Sag entry points are open as of 9/11. The two remaining closed are Brant and Missing Link.



Has there been any change on the burn ban?"

I follow the US Forest Service Superior National Forest on Facebook, they have great updates. Short answer is NO FIRES yet in the BWCA:
"The Superior National Forest is loosening fire restrictions on the forest! Effective, September 9, visitors may have campfires in designated fire grates in most fee campgrounds. With fall on the horizon, cooling temperatures and recent rains have helped reduce the risk of fire spreading rapidly on the landscape. However, Minnesota continues to have drought conditions, and with the right fuel and weather conditions, a fire could take hold, so the Forest is exercising caution and leaving some fire restrictions in place until further notice.
What is allowed?
?? Campfires in designated fire rings that have been installed and are maintained by the Forest Service are allowed in the following fee campgrounds: Devils Track, East Bearskin, Flour Lake, Kimball Lake, Two Island Lake, Birch Lake, Fall Lake, Fenske Lake, S Kawishiwi River, Echo Lake, Lake Jeanette, Cadotte Lake, Pfeiffer Lake, Whiteface Reservoir, Crescent Lake, Ninemile Lake, Sawbill Lake, and Temperance River campgrounds.
??The use of pressurized devices with an on/off switch that are powered by gas or propane. This includes gas and propane powered devices such as stoves and lanterns.
What is restricted?
?? Campfires in rustic campgrounds, backcountry sites, dispersed sites and the BWCAW are not allowed at this time, even with a designated fire grate.
?? Other open flames such as tiki torches, charcoal grills and barbeques are not allowed.
??Campfires and the use of fee campgrounds which are currently CLOSED to the public: Trails End, Iron Lake, McDougal Lake, Divide Lake and Little Isabella campgrounds.
While campfires in fee campgrounds are allowed, we urge our visitors to practice caution. Be sure your campfire is completely out and cold to the touch, before you leave it unattended. Thank you for recreating responsibly!"
ockycamper 09/09/2021 12:05PM
I just called the forest service. Seagull and Sag entry points are open as of 9/11. The two remaining closed are Brant and Missing Link.


Has there been any change on the burn ban?
gravelroad 09/09/2021 11:52AM
HURRAH!!!
“ Editor’s note: An original version of this story contained information from the Forest Service that the entry points on Seagull Lake will remain closed. The Seagull Lake entry points are outside the closure area on this map. Seagull Lake is opening. Visitors with valid permits for Seagull Lake entry point will be able to access the lake via Blankenberg boat launch or Trails End Campground. This is the only allowable public use of the boat launch and campground at this time.”
gravelroad 09/09/2021 11:30AM
PROGRESS!!!


“ A large area of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near the end of the Gunflint Trail will reopen Saturday, Sept. 11.

Many of the BWCA entry points at the end of the Gunflint Trail remained closed through Labor Day weekend and the first week of September even when most of the wilderness reopened. Wildfires led to an entire BWCA closure Aug. 21.

Entry points reopening Sept. 11 include those on Saganaga Lake, Cross Bay, Skipper and Portage lakes and the Kekekabic Trail, among others (see full list below).

However, several popular entry points will remain closed at this time, including the Missing Link and Brant Lake entry points. A section of the BWCA will also remain closed at this time and through the end of the permit-fee season, which runs through Sept. 30. Included in the closure area is the popular ‘Lady Chain of Lakes’ just west of Sawbill Lake. This closure includes Alton Lake, though the Sawbill entry point itself remains open.


Click here to view a map of the closure area that remains in effect. Editor’s note: An original version of this story contained information from the Forest Service that the entry points on Seagull Lake will remain closed. The Seagull Lake entry points are outside the closure area on this map. WTIP is verifying the accuracy of this closure area with the Forest Service. Check back for updates.

The U.S. Forest Service will also reopen lands and roads along the upper Gunflint Trail on Saturday, with the exception of Blankenburg boat launch and the Iron Lake and Trails End campgrounds. These campgrounds will remain closed to serve as basecamps for firefighters responding to the fires, according to the Forest Service.

The John Ek and Whelp fires burning in the BWCA have shown minimal growth over the past two weeks.


Superior National Forest Supervisor Connie Cummins said fall weather conditions have moderated the John Ek and Whelp fires, both of which have remained within their perimeters for days.

“After talking with our fire, wilderness, and recreation specialists, we decided it was safe to lift some of the current closures,” Cummins said. "We’re so happy that we’re opening back up to our visitors.”

Effective Sept. 11, the following entry points will reopen: Saganaga Lake Entry Point #55/#55A/J, Cross Bay Lake Entry Point #50, Kekekabic Trail Entry Point #56 and #74, Skipper and Portage Lakes Entry Point #49, Kawishiwi Lake Entry
Point #37, Magnetic Lake EP #57, Larch Creek EP #80. Due to upper Gunflint Trail closure South Lake EP #58 is closed.

The following entry points will remain closed until further notice: Missing Link Lake EP #51, Seagull Lake Entry Point #54/#54A/L, Brant Lake Entry Point #52.”


More of BWCA to reopen
boonie 09/08/2021 01:11PM
Today is Wed. and a week from the last one, which I saw that evening, but I don't know what time it was posted. So I am expecting to know tonight or tomorrow morning - the sooner, the better.
ockycamper 09/08/2021 12:23PM
Apparently the outfitters asked the Forest Service if they can give more lead time to opening up sections then one day, as they are losing so much business. The forest service seemed to indicate that they would make an annoucement today.
boonie 09/08/2021 11:46AM
Announcements seem to be on a Wed. night/Thurs. morning schedule. I'm waiting to see if next week's permit will be valid or if I'll be winging it.
gravelroad 09/08/2021 11:38AM
I just checked all the available online sources - nothing yet. I dare not hope yet, but I’d be happy to be wrong.
ockycamper 09/08/2021 10:15AM
our outfitter called yesterday to say that the Forest Service told her that they would be making an announcement on opening up the Seagull area yesterday afternoon or this morning.