Not sure yet but we may be able to go in on May 18 entry, but if the campfire ban is still in effect, not sure if it's worth it. Campfires are a big deal to me, definitely a big part of the experience as you look over that glass smooth lake at dusk as the loons are calling with a hot cocoa in your hand and hit that ultimate spot of relaxation. Morning campfires on a brisk morning with a cup of coffee watching the fog move across a perfectly calm lake is one of the things I think about the most and associate with the BWCA.

If it was my only shot at a BWCA trip this year, there is no doubt. But with a wide open summer and many chances to reschedule, I am not sure I will go with a fire ban.

How do you feel about it?

If I weren't such an early riser it would mean more. Love gathering wood and even the chore of cutting. But not quite a deal breaker.

Fire = good
No fire = bad
Small careful fire = sinfully acceptable?

I seldom have a fire anymore. Unless I need it for warmth or cooking. However I bring warm clothes and a stove.

I enjoy the dark of night and the noises of the woods.

Bushpilot: "I seldom have a fire anymore. Unless I need it for warmth or cooking. However I bring warm clothes and a stove.

I enjoy the dark of night and the noises of the woods. "

This is me. It all started with a trip during a fire ban . . . I like watching the sky. Nice to keep my night vision too. I hardly even use my headlamp except for a little reading in the tent.

Lindy- where are you putting in on Monday? We’re putting in that day too.

Mike

No difference to me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a fire on a trip. Even though most of those trips without a fire have been in October when it gets dark really early or May including 2 solos a few days after ice out.

I used to be one that started every morning with a fire and ended every day with a fire. Then One trip I just decided I didn’t feel like having one and it carried to the next one and so in. I don’t miss them now and actually prefer not having one now. I like not having one for a lot of the same reasons as Boonie

I would definitely have one out of necessity if I needed to warm up.

I enjoy fires, but I do not have one very often.I cook with a stove, heat water for coffee in the morning in MSR Reactor. I may have an evening fire a couple nights on a week long trip.

Given the risk a fire represents for all those that might have to be doubly in harm's way if it would get away from a campsite, I don't see the FS allowing fires anytime this summer.

I have one meal that cooks with a fire instead of a stove. Could I cook it over a stove? Yes. But, if I knew there was a fire ban, I would leave it at home.

I/we seldom have fires. Frankly, they are more work than they are worth. Campsites are often barren of firewood (the more popular the site, the less wood is available). Carrying starter supplies can be a hassle and cooking over a fire leaves a sooty mess on the cook pots (yes, I know how to soap them - more stuff to carry), and then, after all that, you have to make 10-15 trips to the lake to pour enough water on the fire until it is cold. Then you often have a muddy mess in the kitchen area in the morning. Are they nice on a cold evening, yes. Enough to make me go through all the hassle? Sometimes, but not usually.

So I would be happy that the wilderness is even open. Take your stove and adapt. Build a fire next year. You are talking about taking multiple trips. Living over 600 miles away, I have my doubts about whether I will get even one in this year. I would gladly go without the fire.

Perspective.

Have a good trip.

We've driven to Atikokan and checked in at the ranger station, only to be told a fire ban was just announced effective immediately. Disappointing, but stuff happens. We had a great trip anyway. I do understand your point, though. We'd rather have a fire vs. not having one.

I don't bring a stove so no I wouldn't go during a fire ban

Mike, we are supposed to be heading in at Baker. Haven't talked to my buddy yet, but I know that he had an impacted wisdom tooth removed yesterday. Not sure how or if that could impact things either. Have to decide pretty soon, although I am already half packed.

I find that the appeal of a campfire varies with the group. I'm mostly solo or tandem and rarely have a fire. When on a trip with Scouts, it would have seemed nearly sacrilegious not to have a campfire. I very rarely cook on camp fire.

Camp fires are a big deal to me. I spend a lot of my time in the BW doing fire related activities - looking for and processing wood, starting and tending the fire. I have a problem sitting still and can’t nap, so when my trip mates are reading or napping, I’m collecting or processing wood. It just won’t be the same tripping without sitting around a fire at night sipping some good bourbon.

Déjà vu again! Nevertheless, keeping up a property using Fire Wise principles can quickly kill the appeal of a campfire. They just become more work.

inspector13: "
Déjà vu again! Nevertheless, keeping up a property using Fire Wise principles can quickly kill the appeal of a campfire. They just become more work.


"

That's an interesting link. Thanks for sharing.

I quit having campfires years ago, so a fire ban doesn't bother me any.

Unless I needed a fire for warmth I could care less if a ban is on, I rarely have a fire when soloing.
My wife on the other had seems to require one most times, so I comply with her wishes about half the time.
After fighting wildfires for 30 years I'm tired of the flames.
Inspector, nice to know you are doing Firewise Principles around your place, I preached that sermon for years to the public. Most of the time it fell on deaf ears.

moray: "Camp fires are a big deal to me. I spend a lot of my time in the BW doing fire related activities - looking for and processing wood, starting and tending the fire. I have a problem sitting still and can’t nap, so when my trip mates are reading or napping, I’m collecting or processing wood. It just won’t be the same tripping without sitting around a fire at night sipping some good bourbon."

Agreed. I always get up early, and even earlier camping. Usually have a good hour or two before everyone else starts to stir.

I like to fill that time with gathering wood for the fire. I think I enjoy that more than the fire itself.

I never plan to have a fire. As a kid I always had fires but in my early twenties I made several trips in a short period during fire bans, and just got used to not having fires. It's so much less work, my lungs feel better, I get better sleep. When I'm backpacking or canoeing alone I never have a fire; with others, I don't suggest it and I don't build it, but if they want one I don't complain. That said, I'd never even consider whether or not there's a fire ban in my trip planning, and what I pack is completely unaffected.

lindylair: "Mike, we are supposed to be heading in at Baker. Haven't talked to my buddy yet, but I know that he had an impacted wisdom tooth removed yesterday. Not sure how or if that could impact things either. Have to decide pretty soon, although I am already half packed. "

Have a great time! We're putting in at Kawishiwi, so we won't be too far from you. Was able to snag a room in Tofte for Sunday night, so we'll get an early start. Last time I did Baker Lake, it was so bloody hot...like in the 90s the entire trip. I hope your partner's wisdom tooth feels better. Sounds like some medicinal scotch might be required...again, only for medical purposes.

Best wishes

Mike

I'm just not a fire guy, never have been. I cook with stoves. Sitting around the campfire just doesn't interest me. I also have asthma, so a fire is a medical no-go for me.

That said, I know it is a very important part of many tripper's canoe country experience, and I can understand their disappointment in the ban. I hope it rains so this part of the experience can again be shared by those who like it.

Mike

I personally could take it or leave it when it comes to a campfire. I like em, but on a week long trip I might have one or two fires.

That being said, my son in law is going with me on his first trip this year. He loves sitting around a campfire and it's an important part of his camping experience. But if the fire ban is still in place when we go he'll just have to do without.

Bushpilot: "I seldom have a fire anymore. Unless I need it for warmth or cooking. However I bring warm clothes and a stove.
I enjoy the dark of night and the noises of the woods. "

Camp fires are a PITA - even with the best of beaver wood. No campfires wouldn't bother me in the least.

We use to have maybe 2-3 fires during a week-long trip. Now we just have 1 on the last night of our trip. Just to enjoy our brandy, discuss the past week, and plan for next year. If there's a ban, we wouldn't miss it that much.

Last years campfire:

We cook one hot meal per day, and it is over a fire if it isn’t storming. I would to need to change about half of those meals. We would miss the fire.